07.07.2018 - news nag

The court in Pakistan sentenced in absentia the 68-year-old former prime minister of the country Nawaz Sharif. He, as well as his relatives, was convicted of buying expensive apartments in London with funds of dubious origin.

The court appointed Sharif a 10-year prison sentence, Reuters reports. In addition, the former official must pay $ 10.6 million as a fine.

The daughter of ex-premier Maryam Nawaz was sentenced to seven years in prison and 2.6 million pounds sterling fine. And his son-in-law Safdar Avan received 1 year of imprisonment.

The court of the National Control Bureau of Pakistan (NAB) announced the verdict after a series of delays. Sharif had earlier asked to postpone the sentencing while he was in London with his wife, where she was being treated for cancer. During the sentencing, the accused together with his children did not leave the capital of Great Britain.

Fearing the turmoil, the Pakistani authorities blocked roads around a complex of government buildings, one of which is the Supreme Court. They also banned the holding of rallies and marches in the area, according to the Russian service of the BBC.

Nawaz Sharif took office as Prime Minister of Pakistan in June 2013. Previously, he held this position in 1990-1993 and in 1997-1999. He is one of the most popular politicians in the country.

The investigation into Sharif began after the scandalous publication in the spring of 2016 of the