The anti-corruption court in Islamabad found former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif guilty of fraud, sentencing him to seven years behind bars.
In its ruling, the court said that the three-time prime minister was unable to prove the source of income. Under Pakistani law, this is taken to prove corruption.
Sharif denied the charges which he said were politically motivated. He accused the military and courts of working together to end his political career and destabilize his Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) party.
Sharif had already been sentenced by the same court to 10 years in prison on charges related to the purchase of upscale apartments in London, after the Supreme Court removed him from power. He was freed from custody in September pending an appeal.
Sharif’s supporters said he would also appeal against his latest conviction.
“Appeal is our right, we will protest but will remain peaceful,” former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, who had succeeded Sharif last year, told reporters outside the courthouse.
Before the verdict, hundreds of Sharif supporters threw stones outside the courthouse at police, who fired teargas.
