Pak fugitive Khan arrested
Thursday, 15 November 2007
LAHORE, Nov 14 (AFP): Pakistan cricket legend Imran Khan was arrested by police Wednesday after he emerged from hiding to join a student rally against President Pervez Musharraf's emergency rule, police said.
Appearing in public for the first time since slipping out from house arrest, Khan was grabbed by Islamist students when he tried to take part in the demonstration at a university campus in the eastern city of Lahore.
He was lifted onto the shoulders of demonstrators amid chaotic scenes and then pushed inside a building by a crowd, before being bundled into an unmarked white van. He was later handed over to police.
"I came to the university to lead a rally of students against the dictator Musharraf and his illegal actions," Khan told AFP by telephone from police custody as he was whisked away from the campus.
"I have achieved my purpose. I have started the student movement."
Khan, who has founded a small opposition party, said he was betrayed by students who "collaborated" with the administration of Lahore's Punjab University.
"They took me into the office and then forced me out into a van. They did not allow me to be arrested publicly," he said.
Police said Khan -- who called for Musharraf to be hanged for treason after the military ruler declared a state of emergency on November 3 -- would be placed back under house arrest.
Appearing in public for the first time since slipping out from house arrest, Khan was grabbed by Islamist students when he tried to take part in the demonstration at a university campus in the eastern city of Lahore.
He was lifted onto the shoulders of demonstrators amid chaotic scenes and then pushed inside a building by a crowd, before being bundled into an unmarked white van. He was later handed over to police.
"I came to the university to lead a rally of students against the dictator Musharraf and his illegal actions," Khan told AFP by telephone from police custody as he was whisked away from the campus.
"I have achieved my purpose. I have started the student movement."
Khan, who has founded a small opposition party, said he was betrayed by students who "collaborated" with the administration of Lahore's Punjab University.
"They took me into the office and then forced me out into a van. They did not allow me to be arrested publicly," he said.
Police said Khan -- who called for Musharraf to be hanged for treason after the military ruler declared a state of emergency on November 3 -- would be placed back under house arrest.