Pakistan Supreme Court declares Imran Khan’s arrest to be illegal.
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was ordered released from custody on Thursday by the Supreme Court, which declared that his dramatic arrest was illegal, foreign media reported.
Pakistan erupted in violence across the country over the last two days as crowds battled police and soldiers, setting fire to police vehicles and government buildings. At least 10 people were killed, over a hundred injured and more than 2,000 people were arrested.
Khan was whisked away by hundreds of paramilitary soldiers and police from the premises of the Islamabad High Court on Tuesday where he had gone for a court appearance.
Following his arrest, Khan was arraigned on charges of corruption was he was PM. A lower court ruled that his arrest was legal, but this was overturned by the Supreme Court.
Khan is tipped to win national elections that are due in October, as the ruling party’s popularity has fallen with the country on the verge of bankruptcy. The government has sought to delay key provincial elections that are due this month.