Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi have been sentenced to further jail terms following a fraud case involving state gifts.
They were convicted of breaking Pakistan's rules on gifts after Bibi received a luxury jewellery set from Saudi Arabia's Mohammed bin Salman during a 2021 state visit.
The couple is already serving time for previous convictions, and the new sentences of 10 years for criminal breach of trust and seven years for criminal misconduct are set to run concurrently.
Khan has labeled the charges as politically motivated, with his lawyer indicating plans to appeal the verdict.
After the recent hearing, Khan's legal team claimed they had only received notification of the sentencing late Friday, and they aim to challenge it in the high court.
This latest development comes amid a series of legal troubles for the cricket star-turned-politician, who has been imprisoned since August 2023. In January, Khan received a 14-year sentence for a different corruption case.
Khan has faced over 100 charges, ranging from leaking state secrets to mismanaging state gifts. The case concerning the jewellery, known as Toshakhana 2, involves allegations that Khan undervalued the set to buy it back at a lower price.
In addition to the jail terms, Khan and Bibi have been fined over 16 million Pakistani rupees (£42,600).
Khan was previously convicted in another Toshakhana case, but that conviction is currently suspended pending appeal.
Other outstanding charges include terrorism linked to violent protests from May 2023, following his initial arrest.
As a former prime minister, Khan lost his position in April 2022 after a no-confidence vote and has been vocal against the current government and military leadership despite being behind bars.
Khan has faced significant restrictions during his imprisonment, including long periods without family visits. His recent legal challenges continue to unfold amidst a complex political landscape in Pakistan.
