Human rights lawyer couple sentenced to 10 years' prison in Pakistan
Summary
A Pakistani anti-terrorism court sentenced human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha to 10 years in prison over an alleged security breach during England’s 2024 cricket tour. They denied removing road barriers and obstructing police; additional sentences for those alleged offenses will run at the same time as the 10-year terms.Key Facts
- The case concerns an incident on 25 October 2024 at Zero Point, a major road junction in Islamabad.
- Prosecutors accused the couple of removing barriers on a road assigned to the cricket team’s security convoy and obstructing police officers.
- The court also imposed one-year and two-year sentences for obstructing and using force against public servants; all sentences will run concurrently.
- The court fined each lawyer 200,000 Pakistani rupees.
- The couple have been in custody since January in connection with separate cases, including one involving social media posts critical of Pakistan’s military.
- Pakistan’s Supreme Court suspended earlier prison sentences over the social media posts and granted the couple bail, but police arrested them again in another case.
- Amnesty International said the couple were denied an open and fair trial and raised concerns about hearings held inside the prison.
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