Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) Former Prime Minister of Pakistan Omran Khan The paramilitaries were arrested in Islamabad on charges brought by the country’s anti-corruption agency, according to court documents seen by CNN.
Khan was providing his biometric data to appear in court when paramilitary forces smashed a window to gain access to him before arresting him, as shown in a video provided to CNN by his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
In the video, paramilitary forces attack the High Court building in Islamabad before Khan’s arrest.
A video sent to CNN by the Pakistan News Agency showed the paramilitaries piled up from cars and wielding batons before making the arrest.
The movement’s spokesman, Fawad Chaudhry, said that the political leader “was taken by unknown persons to an unknown location.”
Khan was ousted in a parliamentary vote of no confidence last year and has since led a popular campaign against the current government, accusing it of colluding with the army to remove him from office.
He faced an increasing number of legal cases filed against him and several arrest warrants were issued, sparking confrontations with his supporters.
Khan faces allegations of illegally selling gifts given to him by foreign dignitaries while in office, which he has denied as “biased”. He says the charges against him are political.
In March, the streets outside his home in Lahore became like a pitched battle between police and his supporters after officers tried to arrest Khan for failing to appear in court on corruption charges.
Police supporters threw rocks and projectiles at the police while people inside Khan’s home set fires after officers fired tear gas into the compound.
Later the police cut off the power supply to Khan’s house and turned off the street lights in the neighbourhood. Operations were eventually cancelled.
The cricket legend turned politician has accused Pakistani authorities of trying to arrest him to keep him off the field ahead of the general elections scheduled for October.
“[The government]”They are terrified that if I come to power, I will hold them accountable,” Khan told CNN during the disturbances outside his residence in March.
They also know that even if you go to jail, we will tip the election no matter what they do.”