Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan arrested

 Authorities in Pakistan announced on Tuesday the arrest of Imran Khan, the country's prominent opposition leader and former prime minister. This development increases the intensity of the political crisis in the country and raises the likelihood of further confrontations between Khan's supporters and law enforcement.According to a statement made by Islamabad police spokesman Taqi Jawwad, Imran Khan was arrested on Tuesday as part of an ongoing corruption investigation. The former prime minister is also facing other charges in unrelated cases. Authorities in Pakistan had previously requested Khan's cooperation in the corruption probe, which he reportedly refused. Khan was taken into custody by law enforcement officials while attending a trial related to other charges at a court in the capital city of Islamabad.Television footage from Pakistan captured the moment Imran Khan was forcefully pushed into a law enforcement vehicle. According to officials, the officers were acting on a warrant issued by the country's anti-corruption agency.

Imran Khan's arrest follows several days of escalating tensions between the former prime minister, who was removed from office last year, the current government, and Pakistan's influential military. Khan had recently accused a senior military official of involvement in an assassination attempt against him, which he narrowly survived.

Khan's political party claims that the arrest is politically motivated and linked to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government. Khan's supporters argue that the government is acting undemocratically by attempting to postpone important regional elections after Khan performed well in last October's by-elections.

In response to Khan's arrest, his party has called for protests throughout Pakistan. Some spontaneous demonstrations have already occurred in the capital city and in the regional capital of Peshawar. In March, violent clashes erupted between police and Khan's supporters during a previous attempt to arrest him at his Lahore residence, resulting in numerous injuries.

It is worth noting that Noack reported this story from Doha, Qatar.