A Pakistani court on Saturday sentenced former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison each in a corruption case linked to the alleged misuse of state gifts, Geo News reported.

The case relates to accusations that the couple sold gifts presented to the state at prices below their true market value.

Khan’s lawyer, Rana Mudassar Umar, told Reuters the verdict was issued without the court hearing the defence. “The court passed the judgment without listening to the defence and sentenced Imran Khan and Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison along with heavy fines,” he said.

Khan, a former international cricket star who later became a prominent politician, served as Pakistan’s prime minister from August 2018 until April 2022.