Definably semisimple groups interpretable in $p$-adically closed fields

Abstract

Let $K$ be a $p$-adically closed field and $G$ a group interpretable in $K$. We show that if $G$ is definably semisimple (i.e. $G$ has no definable infinite normal abelian subgroups) then there exists a finite normal subgroup $H$ such that $G/H$ is definably isomorphic to a $K$-linear group. The result remains true in models of $\mathrm{Th}({\mathbb{Q}}_p^{an})$.