Pakistan's military court sentenced 60 civilians to prison for their involvement in pro-Imran Khan unrest in May 2023. The sentences, ranging from two to 10 years, follow attacks on military facilities after Khan's arrest. The trials have faced international criticism for lack of transparency and due process.

A military court in Pakistan sentenced 60 civilian men to prison terms ranging from two to 10 years for their involvement in the pro-Imran Khan unrest last year, the armed forces announced on Thursday.

The sentences stem from events that followed the ousting of former Prime Minister Imran Khan in 2022 and his subsequent arrest in May 2023 on corruption charges, which sparked widespread protests against the military.

The men, convicted for their roles in attacks on military facilities on May 9, 2023, join 25 others sentenced in a similar fashion earlier. The sentences range from two to 10 years of "rigorous imprisonment," with one individual, a nephew of Khan, receiving a 10-year sentence for his involvement in attacking a military leader’s house in Lahore.

Khan, a former cricketer turned politician, has been jailed for over a year and faces several other legal cases, which he and his supporters claim are politically motivated.

The military has not disclosed specific details of the men’s convictions but confirmed that they were involved in the attacks on military and government installations following Khan’s arrest.

A military statement emphasized the nation's commitment to justice and upholding the state's authority, though the military's trials have been widely criticized for lack of transparency. Security forces had detained hundreds of Khan's supporters after the violent protests, which have continued sporadically since May 2023.

The United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have expressed concern over the military trials, with critics citing the lack of independent oversight and due process.

Khan himself condemned the military court sentences, accusing them of tarnishing Pakistan's international reputation and potentially leading to economic sanctions. The Pakistani government and military maintain that the trials are fair, offering access to legal representation and avenues for appeal.