Latest news with #politicalprosecution
Arab News
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Trump aide Richard Grenell meets Imran Khan's sons, urges release of jailed former PM
ISLAMABAD: Richard Grenell, the US Envoy for Special Missions under President Donald Trump, met with the jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's sons in California on Wednesday and renewed calls for their father's release, describing his imprisonment as 'political prosecution.' A close aide to the US president, Grenell has been a vocal supporter of Khan in recent months. His endorsement is seen as symbolically significant by supporters of Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party who are seeking international attention on the issue. In a post on social media platform X, Grenell shared a photo with Sulaiman and Kasim Khan, saying: 'You must stay strong. There are millions of people around the world who are sick of political prosecutions. You are not alone. #FreeImranKhan.' Welcome to California, my friends. I loved hanging out with you today. Sulaiman and @Kasim_Khan_1999, you must stay strong. There are millions of people around the world who are sick of political prosecutions. You are not alone. #freeimrankhan — Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) July 22, 2025 The meeting comes as PTI prepares to launch a protest campaign in Pakistan demanding Khan's release. The party has announced that Khan's sons, who have largely avoided political engagement, will also participate in the campaign. Khan, 71, has been jailed since August 2023 and is currently serving a sentence on a number of charges. PTI says he faces more than 100 legal cases, all of which he calls politically motivated. PTI also remains under pressure, with several senior leaders behind bars and others in hiding or facing legal challenges. Rights groups have accused Pakistani authorities of cracking down on dissent and curbing space for political opposition. In a rare social media post last month, Khan's sons raised concerns about their father's prison conditions and called for his release, saying they feared for his health and well-being. The PTI has yet to finalize details of its planned protest campaign, expected to begin in early August to coincide with the second anniversary of Khan's arrest. The party has framed the movement as a democratic struggle for civil liberties and judicial independence.
Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
'You are not alone': Trump aide meets Imran Khan's sons in US
Richard Grenell, US President Donald Trump's envoy for special missions, on Tuesday (local time) met the sons of jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in California and once again called for the former Pakistani Prime Minister's release, terming his arrest a case of "political prosecution." Grenell posted a photo with Imran Khan's elder son Sulaiman Isa and his second son Kasim Khan, writing that he "loved hanging out" with them and welcoming them to California. In a post on X, Grenell wrote, "Welcome to California, my friends. I loved hanging out with you today. Sulaiman and @Kasim_Khan_1999, you must stay strong. There are millions of people around the world who are sick of political prosecutions. You are not alone." Welcome to California, my friends. I loved hanging out with you today. Sulaiman and @Kasim_Khan_1999, you must stay strong. There are millions of people around the world who are sick of political prosecutions. You are not alone. #freeimrankhan — Richard Grenell (@RichardGrenell) July 22, 2025 Grenell's latest comments come amid continued criticism from PTI leaders and rights activists over Khan's detention conditions in Adiala Jail, where he has been imprisoned since August 2023. This is not the first time the former US ambassador has supported Imran Khan. In an interview with Newsmax during Trump's election campaign, Grenell stated that the US had "a much better relationship with Pakistan" during the Trump administration, when Khan was in office. He described Khan as a political outsider with a common-sense approach, drawing parallels between Khan's arrest and the legal challenges faced by Donald Trump in the US. "We had a much better relationship with Pakistan during the Trump administration when a guy named Imran Khan was the leader of Pakistan. That's because Imran Khan was an outsider. He was a former cricket player and actually the captain of the Pakistani national cricket team. He wasn't a politician, and he spoke in very common-sense language. He and Donald Trump had a very good relationship," Grenell said. "I'd like to see Imran Khan be released from jail. He's currently in prison, facing many of the same allegations as President Trump, where the ruling party put him in prison and created some sort of corruption and false allegations," he added. Meanwhile, PTI continues to raise concerns over Khan's prison conditions. As per a Dawn report, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram said at a press conference on Friday that Khan is being held in a "death cell," with no access to books, television, or newspapers. "Despite being a former prime minister, Khan was denied both his status and even the basic rights of an ordinary prisoner, which was a matter of grave concern, as he was the country's most popular leader, and the entire nation was deeply worried about his well-being and safety," Akram said. He warned that the ongoing political and judicial pressure, coupled with poor prison conditions, was pushing Pakistan towards a "constitutional and humanitarian crisis."
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
"You are not alone": Trump aide meets Imran Khan's sons in US, calls for end to 'political prosecutions'
California: Richard Grenell, US President Donald Trump's envoy for special missions, on Tuesday met the sons of jailed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan in California and once again called for the former Pakistani Prime Minister's release, terming his arrest a case of "political prosecution." Grenell posted a photo with Imran Khan's elder son Sulaiman Isa and his second son Kasim Khan, writing that he "loved hanging out" with them and welcoming them to California. In a post on X, Grenell wrote, "Welcome to California, my friends. I loved hanging out with you today. Sulaiman and @Kasim_Khan_1999, you must stay strong. There are millions of people around the world who are sick of political prosecutions. You are not alone." Grenell's latest comments come amid continued criticism from PTI leaders and rights activists over Khan's detention conditions in Adiala Jail, where he has been imprisoned since August 2023. This is not the first time the former US ambassador has supported Imran Khan. In an interview with Newsmax during Trump's election campaign, Grenell stated that the US had "a much better relationship with Pakistan" during the Trump administration, when Khan was in office. He described Khan as a political outsider with a common-sense approach, drawing parallels between Khan's arrest and the legal challenges faced by Donald Trump in the US. "We had a much better relationship with Pakistan during the Trump administration when a guy named Imran Khan was the leader of Pakistan. That's because Imran Khan was an outsider. He was a former cricket player and actually the captain of the Pakistani national cricket team. He wasn't a politician, and he spoke in very common-sense language. He and Donald Trump had a very good relationship," Grenell said. "I'd like to see Imran Khan be released from jail. He's currently in prison, facing many of the same allegations as President Trump, where the ruling party put him in prison and created some sort of corruption and false allegations," he added. Meanwhile, PTI continues to raise concerns over Khan's prison conditions. As per a Dawn report, PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqqas Akram said at a press conference on Friday that Khan is being held in a "death cell," with no access to books, television, or newspapers. "Despite being a former prime minister, Khan was denied both his status and even the basic rights of an ordinary prisoner, which was a matter of grave concern, as he was the country's most popular leader, and the entire nation was deeply worried about his well-being and safety," Akram said. He warned that the ongoing political and judicial pressure, coupled with poor prison conditions, was pushing Pakistan towards a "constitutional and humanitarian crisis."
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Trump's former lawyer Alina Habba faces uncertain future as New Jersey's top federal prosecutor
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Alina Habba — who served as President Donald Trump's defense lawyer and a White House counselor and has become one of the most high-profile U.S. attorneys in the country — could see her 120-day interim term as New Jersey's top federal prosecutor expire Tuesday. Habba, 41, could stay on in the role if federal judges in New Jersey keep her on. Her tenure has included the high-profile prosecution of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, which was eventually dropped, and the ongoing assault case against Rep. LaMonica McIver. Both cases, against Democrats, stemmed from a visit to a privately operated immigration detention center in the state's largest city. Messages seeking comment were left with Habba's office and the Justice Department as well as the chief federal judge in the state, whose office said it had no information on Tuesday. Senatorial courtesy Trump, a Republican, nominated Habba for the position pending Senate confirmation, but the state's two Democratic U.S. senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim signaled their opposition to her appointment. Under a longstanding Senate practice known as senatorial courtesy, a nominee's appointment can stall out without backing from home state senators, a phenomenon facing a handful of other Trump picks for U.S. attorney. Booker and Kim had questioned whether Habba met the standard to serve as the state's top federal prosecutor and have accused her of bringing politically motivated prosecutions. Tenure as top prosecutor Among Habba's highest-profile prosecutions stemmed from a May visit by three Democratic members of Congress and Baraka to the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility in Newark. Baraka was arrested on a trespass charge stemming from his attempt to join a congressional visit of the facility. Baraka denied any wrongdoing, and Habba eventually dropped that charge. U.S. Magistrate Judge Andre Espinosa rebuked Habba's office after moving to dismiss the charges, writing that the move amounted to a 'worrisome misstep' and calling the arrest hasty. Baraka is suing Habba in her official capacity over what he says was a 'malicious prosecution.' Habba later brought assault charges against McIver, a freshman representative from the city who first was elected in a special election last year, over physical contact she made with law enforcement officials as Baraka was being arrested. The indictment of McIver was the latest development in a legal-political drama that has seen the Trump administration take Democratic officials from New Jersey's largest city to court amid the president's ongoing immigration crackdown and Democrats' efforts to respond. The prosecution is a rare federal criminal case against a sitting member of Congress for allegations other than fraud or corruption. A nearly two-minute video clip released by the Department of Homeland Security shows McIver at the facility inside a chain-link fence just before Baraka's arrest on the other side of the barrier, where other people were protesting. McIver and uniformed officials go through the gate, and she joins others shouting that they should circle the mayor. The video shows McIver in a tightly packed group of people and officers. Her left elbow and then her right elbow push into an officer wearing a dark face covering and an olive green uniform emblazoned with the word 'Police.' Besides the prosecution of McIver, Habba had announced she launched an investigation into New Jersey's Democratic governor, Phil Murphy, and attorney general, Matt Platkin, over the state's directive barring local law enforcement from cooperating with federal agents conducting immigration enforcement. In social media posts, Habba has highlighted her office's prosecution of drug traffickers, including against 30 members of a fentanyl and crack cocaine ring in Newark. Habba's background A partner in a small New Jersey law firm near Trump's Bedminster golf course, Habba served as a senior adviser for Trump's political action committee, defended him in court in several civil lawsuits and acted as a spokesperson last year as he volleyed between courtrooms and the campaign trail. U.S. attorneys often have experience as prosecutors, including at the state or local level. Many, including the acting U.S. attorneys in Brooklyn and Manhattan, have worked in the offices they now lead. Habba has said she wanted to pursue the president's agenda of 'putting America first.' Habba was one of Trump's most visible defense attorneys, appearing on cable TV news as his 'legal spokesperson.' She represented Trump in 2024 in the defamation case involving E. Jean Carroll. But Habba has had limited federal court experience, practicing mainly in state-level courts. During the Carroll trial, Judge Lewis A. Kaplan chided Habba for botching procedure, misstating the law, asking about off-limits topics and objecting after he ruled.
CNN
06-06-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Proud Boys members suing Justice Department for January 6 prosecutions
Members of the Proud Boys who were convicted by a jury on several counts related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack – each of whom were later pardoned or had their sentences commuted by President Donald Trump – are now suing the Justice Department for what they say was a 'political prosecution.' The individuals, including several former leaders of the group, say the prosecution in the case amounted to an 'egregious and systemic abuse of the legal system and the United States Constitution to punish and oppress political allies of President Trump, by any and all means necessary, legal, or illegal.' Four of the five men – Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the group; Joseph Biggs; Ethan Nordean; Trump Zachary Rehl; and Dominic Pezzola – were convicted of seditious conspiracy and each received lengthy sentences prior to Trump's absolution. The group wants the government to pay $100 million in restitution for the criminal prosecution and has asked for a jury trial in the matter. In the wake of Trump's election for a second term, the administration granted full clemency to hundreds of people convicted of felony crimes like destroying property and assaulting police on January 6. Trump's reelection also brought with it a complete about-face on investigations into those who attacked the Capitol that day, effectively ending the largest ever investigation conducted by the FBI. Trump's Justice Department also recently announced it had reached a settlement in the lawsuit brought by the family of Ashli Babbitt, who was shot and killed by an officer on January 6 after attempting to breach the Speaker's Lobby near the House chamber. CNN has reached out to the Justice Department for comment. Republicans and Trump allies have long argued that the hundreds of cases brought against people who participated in the January 6 attack often amounted to political persecution from Joe Biden's Justice Department because they targeted Trump supporters. The lawsuit filed Friday could either force the administration to defend its prosecution of the Proud Boys or settle with the men. One of the men suing the Justice Department, Dominic Pezzola, was the first rioter to break open a window at the Capitol, allowing scores of protestors to enter the building, prosecutors said during the trial. Prosecutors argued that the other four men were leaders of the group and helped coordinate and helm elements of the attack. 'Now that the Plaintiffs are vindicated, free, and able to once again exercise their rights as American citizens, they bring this action against their tormentors for violations of their Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendment Rights,' the lawsuit says. The lawsuit argues that prosecutors went after the five men despite knowing they never organized or coordinated the events of January 6. Prosecutors, the lawsuit alleges, invented 'a whole new legal theory,' stacked the jury and breached attorney-client communications.
