Pakistani police have charged ex-prime minister Khan with terrorism

ISLAMABAD — Police in Pakistan’s capital on Sunday charged former Prime Minister Imran Khan, 17 of his aides and many of his supporters with terrorism and a number of other crimes after supporters of the ousted prime minister clashed with security forces in Islamabad the previous day.

On Saturday, Khan’s followers clashed with police for hours outside a court where the former prime minister was scheduled to appear in a vaccination case. Riot police wielded batons and fired tear gas, while Khan’s supporters threw grenades and stones at the officers.

More than 50 policemen were injured and a police checkpoint, several cars and motorcycles were set on fire. Police said 59 of Khan’s supporters were arrested during the violence.

Khan never actually appeared in court to face charges that he hid government gifts and assets he received during his tenure.

In addition to Khan, former and current lawmakers, former ministers, the former Speaker of the National Assembly and many of Khan’s supporters are also accused in the case filed on Sunday. Charges include terrorism, obstructing police officers in the performance of their duties, assaulting police officers, injuring officers and threatening their lives.

The latest developments are related to the escalating violence surrounding the 70-year-old Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in parliament last April. Since then, the Islamist politician-turned-cricket star has claimed, without providing evidence, that his ouster was illegal and a conspiracy by his successor Shahbaz Sharif’s government and Washington. Both Sharif and the United States have denied the allegations.

Also on Saturday, violence erupted again outside Khan’s home in the eastern city of Lahore, where officers and Khan supporters clashed for two consecutive days early 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 had arrested 61 suspects and seized petrol bombs, weapons and ammunition. Khan was not at home, traveling to Islamabad for a court appearance. After he failed to appear in court, the judge adjourned the hearing until March 30.