Imaan, Hadi walk out of ATC jail trial in security breach case in objection over manner of court appearance

Rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, took issue with the manner of their appearance during the security breach case hearing at Adiala Jail on Friday. The couple and their legal representatives eventually exited the proceedings. The case involves allegations of disrupting an international cricket team's security route and inciting public unrest.

Imaan and Hadi have been charged with removing barriers from the route. They were indicted on October 7, and on the previous day, the court directed their legal teams and witnesses to appear at Adiala jail for the next hearing due to concerns over their transportation. When the hearing commenced at 10:55 am, presented inside a dock, the accused raised objections over their treatment.

Imaan stated that they were not being allowed to meet their lawyers, while Hadi claimed they were being treated worse than terrorists. The judge ordered the police to move away and questioned the need for their presence. The defense counsel also filed an application seeking an end to the jail trial and adjournment of the hearing.

After hearing arguments, the court announced a 20-minute recess. The prosecution witness then recorded their statement, and the defense lawyer urged the court to decide on their application for adjournment before proceeding further. Imaan, Hadi, and their lawyers subsequently walked out of the courtroom. The couple has been in jail since their arrest on January 23 for protesting outside the Islamabad High Court and allegedly manhandling the IHC Bar Association president.

This prompted criticism from rights bodies, politicians, and journalists, emphasizing the importance of a fair trial. The couple was sentenced to 17 years in a separate case on September 17, which was later suspended by the Supreme Court. However, they were rearrested hours later in connection with another case and produced before an Anti-Terrorism Court, which led to their current jail sentence.