Claim: A viral video shows former Prime Minister Imran Khan in a jail cell.
Fact: The video is from 2015, and shows former Mexican drug lord El Chapo in jail, not Imran Khan.
On 9 July, a Facebook page called PTI Central Punjab posted a video in which a man can be seen pacing around a prison cell, before bending down in a corner before the video ends.
The video caption states:
[Translation: “Those who garnered votes in the name of Imran Khan to amass power and privileges are enjoying luxuries in chilled, air-conditioned rooms, while Imran Khan is confined deprived of basic amenities and electricity in a cramped and dark prison, despite being ill, amidst scorching heat.
Time is recording the account of every individual. On the one side lies comfort and luxury, on the other is the price of steadfast adherence to principles.”]
A screenshot of the claim.
Fact or Fiction?
No official images or videos of Imran Khan from prison have been released since he was incarcerated in 2023.
Soch Fact Check reverse-searched a keyframe from the video which led to news articles from 2015 that state the clip is security camera footage from a Mexican prison where El Chapo, a renowned drug lord, can be seen pacing in his prison cell, moments before he famously escaped.
On 15 July 2015 NBC News, an American broadcast television network, published the video stating that it is a surveillance video that shows the moment El Chapo escaped from prison. The video shows the “well-constructed” tunnel he used to break out of his maximum security prison.
On the same day, CNN showed the same video.
This was El Chapo’s second escape, according to BBC News.
Screenshot of the footage from 2015 shown on BBC
Screenshot of the video shared in the claim
As screenshots from the claim and the video published by news organisations in 2015 match, Soch Fact Check concludes that the clip shows El Chapo, not Imran Khan.
Virality
The viral video has garnered thousands of views and was shared several times on Facebook.
Conclusion: The video does not show Imran Khan in jail. It actually shows former Mexican drug lord El Chapo’s escape from prison in 2015.
Background image in cover photo: AP
To appeal against our fact-check, please send an email to appeals@sochfactcheck.com