Khan has been in jail since August, when a court convicted him of corruption and sentenced him to three years in prison. Even though that sentence was suspended, he remained in jail as he faced numerous other charges, including of exposing official secrets, which could have resulted in the death penalty.

Pakistan’s ex-premier returns from self-exile to country in turmoil

The latest accusations centered on Khan having in early 2022 publicized details of a secret diplomatic cable that the former prime minister said proved the United States was behind efforts to oust him.

Tuesday’s court decision followed what Khan’s party called a “sham” trial. His Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party said it would appeal the sentence. It had previously accused the Pakistani establishment of having deliberately rushed the sentencing to coincide with the most intense phase of campaigning ahead of next week’s general election.

With Khan barred from running for public office, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif — himself once toppled in a military coup — is the most likely to be Pakistan’s next leader. He returned in October from self-imposed exile in London after rebuilding trust with the military.

On social media, officials linked to Sharif welcomed Khan’s conviction on Tuesday. But while the Pakistani establishment has all but dismantled Khan’s party since he was ousted in 2022, it doesn’t appear to have dented his widespread popularity.

The PTI says it has faced numerous restrictions during its campaign, including a court ordering the removal of its recognizable cricket bat symbol from ballot papers.

Pakistan’s caretaker government has defended these measures as legal and necessary to maintain stability. They point to accusations that Khan’s party deliberately stirred tensions against the military when officers first tried to arrest him early last year, sparking violent unrest.

Imran Khan increasingly isolated as Pakistan’s army pressures allies

Sarwar Bari, a Pakistani political scientist, said that while Tuesday’s court decision marks another setback for Khan, it’s not an unexpected one.

“It was bound to happen, given what the PTI has been experiencing for the last two years,” Bari said. But he cautioned that rather than deterring Khan’s supporters from voting for the PTI next week, the 10-year prison sentence could stoke unpredictable tensions.

“If the PTI manages to translate the rage and anger into votes on February 8th,” he said, “there could still be a surprise ahead.”

Noack reported from Kabul. Haq Nawaz Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan, contributed to this report.