Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan appeared in court on Saturday as police entered his home and clashed with his supporters after he expressed fears of arrest in a standoff with the government.
Facing legal challenges, which included an unsuccessful attempt to arrest him on Tuesday, Khan was addressing a court in the capital Islamabad on charges of illegally selling government gifts given to him by foreign dignitaries while in office .
Hours earlier at his home in Lahore, the former cricket legend told Reuters he had formed a committee to lead his party if he were arrested.
He led nationwide protests after being ousted from power last year, and several cases have been filed against him. The police tried unsuccessfully to arrest him on Tuesday.
After Khan entered the Islamabad court, the police entered his property. Earlier this week, police and Khan’s supporters clashed outside Khan’s house during an attempt to arrest him.
Khan, who was shot and wounded while campaigning in November, said in an interview that the threat to his life was greater than ever and insisted – without providing evidence – that his political opponents and the military were trying to stop him. Want to be barred from standing in the election at the end of the year. ,
The army and the government did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Security was tight around the judicial complex, where 70-year-old Khan arrived in a convoy surrounded by supporters.
The court had earlier issued an arrest warrant for Khan in the case as he had failed to appear for the previous hearing despite summons.
