Pak court sentences journalists to life over links to 2023 protests after Imran Khan’s arrest
Islamabad (TIP)- An anti-terrorism court in Pakistan has sentenced seven people — including journalists, YouTubers and former military officials — to two life terms each over cases linked to the violence that followed the 2023 arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The verdict relates to the nationwide unrest on May 9, when Khan’s detention triggered large-scale protests by supporters of his Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf party. Protestors torched army installations and vandalised state property in several cities, prompting a sweeping crackdown by authorities.
Those convicted include YouTuber Adil Raja; journalists Wajahat Saeed Khan, Sabir Shakir and Shaheen Sehbai; television anchor Haider Raza Mehdi; analyst Moeed Pirzada; and former army official Akbar Hussain. Cases were registered at Islamabad’s Ramna and Aabpara police stations.
Prosecutors accused the seven of engaging in what they termed “digital terrorism against state institutions”, alleging they used online platforms to incite violence and unrest during and after the protests, according to news agency PTI.
Islamabad-based Anti-Terrorism Court Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra announced the verdicts after reserving judgment earlier. As all the accused were abroad and did not return to face trial, the proceedings were conducted in absentia under Pakistan’s anti-terrorism laws. The court sentenced each convict to rigorous life imprisonment on two counts: waging or attempting to wage war against Pakistan, and criminal conspiracy. Each was also fined 500,000 Pakistani rupees per offence. In addition to the life terms, the court also imposed a combined 35 years of further imprisonment under other legal provisions and an additional fine of 1.5 million rupees on each individual. Failure to pay any of the fines would result in an extra six months in prison, according to the court orders.
Each judgment noted that the convicts have the right to appeal before the Islamabad High Court within seven days.
Among those sentenced are three former army officials — Raja, Mehdi and Hussain — with Raja and Mehdi also active as YouTubers. The remaining convicts are journalists known for views sympathetic to Imran Khan. All left Pakistan after his government was removed from power and did not return to contest the charges.
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