The couple still cannot be released as the bail case in the tweets remains ongoing; IHC hears motions for suspension of sentence
Lawyer and rights activist Imaan Mazari and her husband, lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad on Friday granted bail to human rights activist and lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha in two other cases.
Justice Abul Hasnat Muhammad Zulqarnain approved the bail against sureties of Rs 5,000 each. One of the cases concerns a brawl outside the High Court, while the other concerns a protest outside the Press Club. In the high court scuffle case, the complainant, High Court Bar President Wajid Gilani, had submitted an affidavit the day before.
Despite recent bail approvals, Imaan and Hadi cannot be released as they have been convicted in the controversial tweets case and their bail in the controversial tweets case remains pending. Further adding to the delay is that the applications for suspension of sentence in this case have not yet been fixed for an early hearing in the High Court.
Read: Amnesty condemns the convictions of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha
On February 19, Justice Zulqarnain granted Imaan and Hadi bail after their arrest on sureties of Rs 10,000 each in a case involving a police encounter. The case, registered at the Secretariat police station, involves charges of police altercation and public protest.
Imaan and Hadi were sentenced to a combined 17 years in prison on January 24 by an Islamabad magistrate’s court. The couple was convicted of several charges related to controversial social media posts that the prosecution said amounted to an anti-state narrative under cybercrime laws.
In a 22-page judgment written by District and Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka, Imaan and Hadi were found guilty under several provisions of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016. They were acquitted of a charge related to hate speech.
The IHC accepts requests for suspension of sentence
Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has resumed rehearing of the stay of sentence petitions filed by Imaan and Hadi, with Justice Muhammad Asif presiding.
The government requested that the case be transferred to the court of Justice Azam Khan, with the deputy attorney general arguing that a similar case had already been heard there. However, the couple’s lawyer, Riasat Ali Azad, pushed back, noting that “no such case is pending in any other court.”
Learn more: UN experts sound alarm over Imaan and Hadi convictions
He added that their appeal was heard by the same court from the outset and the judiciary enjoyed their full confidence.
“I am concerned about how the government can oppose the judiciary,” Azad remarked, before calling for urgency. “My only request is that it would be a major relief for us if the matter is resolved before Eid,” he said.
Judge Asif replied: “Very well, let’s see” before retiring to his chambers. The public prosecutor did not object to setting a date either. Azad said he was confident a date would be announced by the end of the day.
On February 21, the IHC issued a written order in the controversial tweets case, serving notices on the appeals filed against the convictions of Imaan and Hadi. The court had also issued notices regarding requests for suspension of their sentences.
Judge Asif issued a two-page written order after the hearing. According to the order, Imaan and Hadi challenged their January convictions in the High Court. The applicants’ lawyer argued that the decision was legally unfounded and should be declared void.
