Imaan, Hadi allege security breach case 'nothing more than harassment' for their human rights work

Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, are human rights lawyers who allege that the security breach case against them is merely harassment for their advocacy work. They argue that the charges stem from "reprisals" targeting them for their human rights work and pro bono legal assistance to marginalized communities.

The case, which centers around allegations of disrupting an international cricket team's security route and inciting public unrest, concluded at Adiala Jail with the ATC reserving its verdict. Both Imaan and Hadi recorded statements under Section 342 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, while the state presented its final arguments.

The couple denies the prosecution testimonies, calling them "false, fabricated and contradictory" to video footage. They further claim that police officials directed by higher-ups "falsely deposed against" them to punish them for their human rights work. Imaan also alleges that the trial has been conducted with her and her husband in a cage, preventing them from communicating effectively with their counsel or the court.

The lawyer couple further states that the trial has violated their constitutional rights to fair trial, due process, and basic human dignity. Hadi, in his recorded statement, said he is being punished for supporting his wife's work and activism and for resisting injustice. The couple has been in jail since their arrest on Jan 23 and has already spent over nine months in detention.