Supreme Court suspends sentences of rights lawyer Mazari and husband
LAHORE: Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday suspended 17-year prison sentences handed to prominent rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, and ordered them freed on bail, lifting a detention that has been criticised by activists. Mazari, , and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha, also a lawyer, were convicted in January on charges of sending anti-state social media posts. Both have denied the…
LAHORE, Pakistan - The Supreme Court of Pakistan has suspended the 17-year prison sentences of prominent rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, ordering them freed on bail, according to the wire service report. The couple was convicted in January on charges of sending anti-state social media posts, a case that has drawn criticism from activists.
Mazari and Chattha, both lawyers, have consistently denied the charges. The Supreme Court issued its ruling on Thursday, pending the decision by the lower court, which is expected within weeks. Mazari's mother, Shireen Mazari, who previously served as human rights minister under former Prime Minister Imran Khan, expressed gratitude to the Supreme Court for delivering justice to the couple.
The family is still awaiting the release of the couple, according to Mazari. Imaan Mazari has been recognized internationally for her defense of ethnic minorities and journalists in Pakistan. The couple was convicted under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act for their social media posts criticizing military operations in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
UN experts and organizations like Amnesty International have raised concerns about the fairness of the trial. Pakistan maintains that its judiciary remains independent.
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