Former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been acquitted of unlawful marriage charges by a court in Pakistan.
Mr Khan, 71, and his wife were sentenced to seven years, days before Pakistan's election in February. The court ordered their immediate release from jail pending any outstanding charges.
Additional district and sessions judge in Islamabad, Afzal Majoka, announced his judgment at 3pm yesterday, saying: “If they are not wanted in any other case, then PTI [Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf] founder Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi should be released [from jail] immediately."
The couple was convicted on 3 February after a complaint from Bibi's former husband, who claimed that her marriage to Mr Khan violated Muslim family law. According to Islamic law, a Muslim widow or a divorcee has to abide by the “iddah" - a waiting period - before they can lawfully enter into a new marriage. The judge in the case fined Mr Khan and Ms Bibi PKR500,000 (£1,420) and sentenced both to seven years in jail.
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