A Pakistani anti-terrorism court sentenced Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha to 10 years
A Pakistani anti-terrorism court sentenced human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha each to 10 years in prison over allegations they removed road barriers and obstructed police during England’s 2024 cricket tour. Both denied the charges. Prosecutors said the barriers were on a route designated for the team’s security convoy in Islamabad.
More context
Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha were handed 10-year prison terms by a Pakistani anti-terrorism court over an alleged security breach during England’s 2024 cricket tour. Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra announced the verdict after a trial inside Adiala prison in Rawalpindi. Prosecutors accused the couple of removing barriers from a road designated for the team’s security convoy and obstructing police at Islamabad’s Zero Point junction on 25 October 2024; both deny the charges. The court also imposed additional one-year and two-year terms for obstructing and using force against public servants; all sentences run concurrently. Mazari told Reuters they were denied their own lawyer and key legal documents, and said the defence would petition the Supreme Court. Amnesty International called the convictions “an indictment of Pakistan’s justice system.” The couple have been in custody since 23 January.
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Reporting
- BBC News — Human rights lawyer couple sentenced to 10 years' prison in Pakistan
- Al Jazeera — Pakistan rights activist Imaan Mazari and husband jailed for 10 years | Human Rights News | Al Jazeera
- amnesty.org — Pakistan: Terrorism conviction of human rights lawyers an indictment of justice system - Amnesty International
Verifier’s note
BBC News reports that the court sentenced Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha to 10 years, and Amnesty International also confirms their ten-year imprisonment. Al Jazeera reports the same sentence in coverage attributed to AFP and Reuters.