Pakistan arrests hundreds as former PM appears in court

Pakistan’s former prime minister Imran Khan has appeared before a judge, a day after his arrest on corruption charges sparked nationwide protests.

Nearly 1,000 people have been arrested, police say, since Khan was held in Islamabad on charges which he denies.

There is tight security at the police guesthouse where he is being detained, which is serving as a courtroom. The arrest dramatically escalated a political battle between Khan and Pakistan’s powerful military. Conviction would disqualify him from standing for election.

At least two people died in violent protests that broke out in several cities across Pakistan following his arrest on Tuesday.

(BBC)