(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) Police in the Pakistani capital filed charges Sunday against
former Prime Minister Imran Khan, 17 of his aides and scores of
supporters, accusing them of terrorism and several other offenses
after the ousted premier's followers clashed with security forces
in Islamabad the previous day, trend reports citing al
arabiya .
For hours on Saturday, Khan's followers clashed with police
outside a court where the former prime minister was to appear in a
graft case. Riot police wielded batons and fired tear gas while
Khan's supporters threw fire bombs and hurled rocks at the
officers.
More than 50 officers were injured and a police checkpoint,
several cars and motorcycles were torched. Police said 59 of Khan's
supporters were arrested during the violence.
Khan never actually appeared inside the court to face charges
that he had sold state gifts received while in office and concealed
assets.
Besides Khan, the case filed Sunday also accuses former and
current lawmakers, former ministers, a former National Assembly
speaker and scores of Khan's supporters. The charges include
terrorism, obstructing police officers in carrying out their tasks,
attacks on police, wounding officers and threatening their
lives.
The developments are the latest involving increasing violence
surrounding the 70-year-old Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence
vote in Parliament last April.
Also on Saturday, violence erupted again outside Khan's home in
the eastern city of Lahore, where officers and Khan's supporters
had clashed for two straight days in a standoff earlier last week,
after police arrived in the upscale neighborhood to arrest
Khan.
Amid tear gas and clashes, police stormed Khan's residence, and
later said they arrested 61 suspects and seized petrol bombs,
weapons and ammunition. Khan was not at home, having traveled to
Islamabad for the court appearance. After he failed to appear in
court, the judge postponed that hearing until March 30.
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