An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad on Wednesday formally indicted lawyer and human rights activist Imaan Mazari along with her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, in a security breach case registered at Aabpara Police Station. Both appeared before the court via video link as ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra framed charges against them for allegedly creating a security risk by interfering in state affairs during the visit of an international cricket team in October 2024.
Despite objections from the defence, the court proceeded with the indictment. Chattha raised concerns that he had not yet received copies of the case documents, stating, “I have not even received the copies yet,” and argued that charges should not be framed until all legal procedures were completed. Defence counsel Zainab Janjua supported this, emphasizing that neither Mazari nor Chattha had been provided the necessary documents and that their lawyers had been denied access to them. She insisted that the court could not proceed without fulfilling all legal requirements.
Judge Sipra responded by informing the defence that they could challenge the court’s decision. Additionally, the court ordered that both Mazari and Chattha be produced in person at the next hearing, which was adjourned until October 9.
The couple has been in custody since their arrest on January 23 in connection with a protest outside the Islamabad High Court. A sessions court subsequently sentenced them to 17 years in prison on multiple charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) related to controversial social media posts. However, on September 17, after months of legal proceedings, the Supreme Court suspended their sentences and granted them bail against surety bonds of Rs200,000 each, pending the final decision in the Islamabad High Court.
Despite this temporary relief, the couple was rearrested hours later by Islamabad police in connection with a separate case and brought before the ATC. the FIR, Mazari and Chattha were accused of chanting anti-government slogans and blocking roads during a protest, leading to the current security breach charges.
Leave an opinion