Ex-PM Khan is charged with terrorism by the Pakistani police

Police in the Pakistani capital filed charges Sunday against former Prime Minister Imran Khan, 17 of his aides and scores of supporters, accusing them of terrorism and several other offenses after the ousted premier's followers clashed with security forces in Islamabad the previous day. The charges include terrorism, obstructing police officers in carrying out their tasks, attacks on police, wounding officers and threatening their lives. The developments are the latest involving increasing violence surrounding the 70-year-old Khan, who was ousted in a no-confidence vote in Parliament last April. Khan has claimed his ouster was illegal and a conspiracy by the government of his successor, Shahbaz Sharif, and the United States. On Saturday, violence erupted outside Khan's home in the eastern city of Lahore, where police stormed his residence and arrested 61 suspects and seized petrol bombs, weapons and ammunition.

Khan was not at home, having traveled to Islamabad for the court appearance. He blamed police for his failure to appear in court on Saturday, saying he never left his vehicle as the police were lobbing tear gas at his convoy and supporters. He denounced the raid on his home in Lahore as "shameful tactics, conspiracies and plans." Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah accused Khan of "creating all the drama just to avoid" the courts.