Lack of prosecution leads to dismissal; PTI leader accused of setting fire to police mobile, containers
Bail pleas of former PTI opposition leader Omar Ayub in three cases related to the May 9 riots have been rejected by the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore.
Judge Arshad Javed presided over the hearing, rejecting the three interim bails for non-prosecution. The court also rejected Ayub’s request for a one-day exemption to appear in person.
The cases against the former opposition leader relate to allegations of burning of police vehicles in Gulberg, burning of a container in Kalma Chowk and attack on Islamabad police in Zaman Park. The three FIRs relate to incidents registered following the disturbances of May 9, 2023.
Read: Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz among 59 convicted by ATC in Rana Sanaullah residence attack case
In August this year, an ATC in Faisalabad sentenced Ayub, along with 16 other PTI leaders, to 10 years in prison in a May 9 case relating to an attack on the house of PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah. Ayub’s requests for interim release in three separate cases were also rejected by Justice Arshad Javed of Lahore. The cases concerned alleged attacks on military installations on May 9.
Non-bailable arrest warrants were subsequently issued against PTI leaders, including the former opposition leader.
Learn more: ATC issues arrest warrants for Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz following May 9 riots
The May 9, 2023 riots broke out following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan at the Islamabad High Court premises. The protests resulted in the conviction of hundreds of PTI workers and leaders in cases related to the unrest.
Several PTI leaders, including Leader of Opposition in the Senate Shibli Faraz and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry, have also been charged in connection with the May 9 unrest, as cases surrounding the unrest continue.
