Pakistani military court announces jail terms for 60 civilians amid criticism
85 civilians, mostly workers of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, have been held in military custody since May 2023
People stage a protest demanding the release of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad, Pakistan on October 04, 2024.
ISLAMABAD
The Pakistani military said Thursday that its courts sentenced 60 civilians to jail terms for their alleged involvement in riots and attacks on army installations in May 2023, despite criticism of the sentences.
The military's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the Field General Court Martial has promulgated the punishments to the "remaining 60 people after examining all evidences, ensuring the provision of all legal rights to the accused," in light of a recent decision by the Supreme Court.
"All convicts retain the right to appeal and other legal recourses, as guaranteed by the Constitution and law," said ISPR.
The military courts handed down sentences from two to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment to 60 civilians, mostly supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
It is the second time this month that the military courts have announced verdicts in civilian trials, triggering criticism from the PTI, the US, UK and the EU.
The courts had sentenced 25 civilians, supporters of Khan who is also in jail since August last year.
Islamabad has rejected criticism from outside and said it is "fully committed to fulfilling all of its international human rights obligations."
