Imran Khan received a three-year prison sentence in Pakistan.

 Ex-Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has been handed a three-year jail sentence over corruption allegations, citing his failure to declare money earned from selling gifts he received in office. Khan denies the charges and plans to appeal. He was taken into custody from his home in Lahore after the verdict, and he urged supporters to fight against the ruling. The former cricketer-turned-politician, 70, was elected in 2018 but was ousted in a no-confidence vote last year after falling out with Pakistan's powerful military. He is facing over 100 cases brought against him since his removal, which he claims are politically motivated. The government has denied that there was any political motivation in Khan's arrest or disqualification. Marriyum Aurangzeb, Pakistan's minister of information and broadcasting, told the BBC that "you have to be accountable for your deeds in law. This has nothing to do with politics. A person who has been proven guilty by the court has to be arrested." The verdict centered on charges that Khan incorrectly declared details of presents from foreign dignitaries and proceeds from their alleged sale. 

The gifts, worth over 140m Pakistani rupees ($635,000; £500,000), included Rolex watches, a ring, and a pair of cuff links. Judge Humayun Dilawar wrote in his ruling that Khan's dishonesty had been established beyond doubt. The verdict led to footage circulating on social media showing a line of police cars and trucks taking Khan away. Khan's lawyer, Intazar Hussain Panjutha, told the BBC that the trial had been conducted by "a kangaroo-type court" in which the accused was never given the opportunity to defend himself. As a consequence of today's conviction, he has been barred to take part in politics for five years. However, if the sentence and conviction are suspended as they are hoping by the superior courts, he will then be able to come back to politics. Khan has been sent to Attock jail, a small facility in Punjab province with historical ties to the military, about 85km (52 miles) from the capital Islamabad. He has previously avoided arrest, with his supporters at times fighting pitched battles with police to keep him out of custody. Many vocal supporters of Khan, who would previously post regularly about him on social media, now feel nervous to express their opinion or have quietly deleted their previous comments. Some of those arrested supporting Khan will face trial in military courts, despite an outcry from many in human rights groups. Khan has denied creating an atmosphere of hostility to the military resulting in violence and has a record of peaceful protests. He believes the army in Pakistan is "petrified" of elections his party would win "hands down" and is dismantling a democracy. Pakistan's parliament will be dissolved on August 9, leaving a caretaker government to take over in the run-up to the elections.