Imaan, Hadi allege security breach case 'nothing more than harassment' for their human rights work
Human rights lawyer Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, have alleged that the case against them pertaining to a security breach was “nothing more than harassment” for their legal and human rights work, falling under the broader pattern of targeting through “reprisals”. On Tuesday, the case concluded at Adiala Jail, with the anti-terrorism court (ATC) reserving its…
Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, have alleged that their security breach case is merely an attempt to silence them for their human rights work, part of a broader pattern of retaliation. The couple faces a jail trial concerning the alleged disruption of an international cricket team's security route and incitement to public unrest in 2024.
They claim the prosecution witnesses are agents of the state targeting them for their activism and pro bono legal aid to marginalized communities. The lawyer couple have been in jail since their arrest on January 23, with the trial conducted in a cage, preventing effective communication with their counsel. They argue that their constitutional rights to a fair trial and basic human dignity have been violated from the outset.
Imaan also alleges that their prosecution witnesses have been coerced by "higher-ups" to falsely testify against them, while Hadi emphasizes the impact on his human rights work abroad. The couple's case was recently challenged by the Islamabad High Court, but they were rearrested hours later in connection with the security breach allegations.
Written by urgent.news from Dawn's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
