Military court sentences civilians involved in 2023 unrest, with human rights groups calling the verdict an “intimidation tactic.”
Pakistan has detained 25 civilians over attacks on military facilities following the arrest of the former prime minister Imran Khan in 2023.
The military’s public relations department confirmed the verdict on Saturday, saying a military court had imposed sentences ranging from two to 10 years of “strict imprisonment,” with 14 of them facing 10 years in prison.
The statement did not elaborate on the charges, but referred to acts committed by Khan’s supporters Military area stormed and set fire to a general’s home during unrest in May 2023 as “political terrorism.”
It said the verdict was “a clear reminder… never to take the law into your own hands.”
The military said others were charged in the violence, which killed at least eight people, were being tried in anti-terrorism courts and that justice would not be fully served until the “mastermind and planner” was punished.
Amnesty International described the ruling as “an intimidation tactic aimed at cracking down on dissent.”
Politically motivated
Former cricket star Khan was prime minister from 2018 to 2022, when he was ousted by parliament in a vote of no confidence, blaming the then head of the powerful military establishment for his downfall.
The 72 year old was locked up for days in May 2023, then again three months later, and has been in prison ever since, facing a series of lawsuits that he claims are politically motivated.
His now Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has been hit by a widespread crackdown, with thousands of grassroots supporters and senior officials arrested.
Khan was barred from taking part in elections in February this year, which were marred by allegations of rigging.
The PTI resisted the crackdown and won more seats than any other party, but was shut out of power by a coalition of parties seen as more susceptible to military influence.
Last month, the capital Islamabad was again hit by protests and unrest as thousands of PTI supporters attempted to occupy a public square on the doorstep of Parliament.
Saturday’s ruling came just days after Khan was indicted by an anti-terrorism court on charges of inciting attacks on the military.
