In the latest development regarding the probe into the May 9 riots, former Prime Minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan, along with all other suspects, has been charged with “criminal conspiracy.”
This additional charge has been added to the related cases, as confirmed by Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Investigation Anoosh Masood during a press conference in Lahore.
Nine additional treason-related sections have been included in the challans (formal complaints) for the cases of vandalism and violence that erupted after the arrest of the former Prime Minister in the infamous £190 million National Crime Agency (NCA) UK settlement case on May 9.
These charges, including “criminal conspiracy,” now fall under Section 120(B) of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
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The investigation’s official has stated that Imran Khan was found to be involved in planning vandalism and inciting mutiny. All objections raised by the prosecution have been resolved prior to submitting the case challans to the court.
Imran Khan, who is currently detained in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Attock jail, and several others, including PTI leaders, face accusations related to various violent crime offenses following their detention on May 9.
The riots resulted in the arrests of thousands of PTI employees and supporters, as well as the deaths of at least eight individuals and injuries to several others. Many party members and senior leaders were imprisoned for their involvement in acts of violence and assaults on military installations during the riots.
The police, as part of the investigation, added charges of inciting mutiny and attempting to start a war on August 18, leading to a request for authorization to investigate Imran Khan further. This request was approved by the anti-terrorism court (ATC) following a court order issued by Judge Ejaz Ahmad Buttar.
The additional charges include offenses such as statements conducing to public mischief, wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause a riot, promoting enmity between different groups, inducing students to take part in political activity, rioting, abetting mutiny, attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor, or airman from his duty, waging or attempting to wage war or abetting the waging of war against Pakistan, conspiracy to commit offenses punishable by law, and punishment of criminal conspiracy, among others.