ATC Indicts Imaan Mazari, Hadi Ali Chattha in Security Breach Case Despite Defence Objections
ATC Indicts Imaan Mazari, Hadi Ali Chattha in Security Breach Case Despite Defence Objections
An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad on Wednesday formally indicted lawyers Imaan Zainab Mazari-Hazir and Hadi Ali Chattha in the security breach case. The Imaan Hadi indictment went ahead despite the defence’s objection that legal formalities were incomplete.
Judge Tahir Abbas Sipra presided. Both accused were produced before the court through video link from Adiala Jail.
At the outset, Hadi objected to the framing of charges, saying he had not received copies of the case documents and that charges could not be framed before all legal formalities were complete. Advocate Zainab Janjua, appearing for the couple, added that neither accused had been given the case record or allowed to meet their lawyers.
Despite the objections, the court proceeded with the formal indictment of both accused. Addressing Imaan and Hadi, Judge Sipra observed that they could challenge the order if they wished to do so.
The case concerns the alleged disruption of the security route of an international cricket team and incitement to public unrest. A case against the couple is registered at Islamabad’s Secretariat Police Station.
Why the Imaan Hadi indictment was delayed by a day
The indictment was scheduled for Tuesday but was postponed when a power outage at Adiala Jail prevented the couple’s production through video link. Judge Sipra had warned the jail authorities of contempt proceedings in case of non-compliance.
The court has now summoned prosecution witnesses for Friday, directed that both accused be produced at the next hearing, and adjourned proceedings until October 9.
A case with a long and bitter history
The lawyer couple has been in jail since their arrest on January 23 in a case registered against them for protesting outside the Islamabad High Court.
A day later, a sessions court sentenced them to 17 years under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act over controversial social media posts, drawing condemnation from lawyers and UN experts. Our earlier report on the UN experts’ demand for their release covers that development.
On September 17, the Supreme Court suspended their sentences and ordered their release. The relief lasted only hours before Islamabad police arrested them again in another case, and an anti-terrorism court sent them to jail on judicial remand.
That case was registered at the capital’s Kohsar police station on March 22 last year on the complaint of City Magistrate Ghulam Murtaza Chandio. The couple were accused of chanting anti-government slogans and blocking roads. The FIR carried sections 188, 341, 506, 353 and 186 of the Pakistan Penal Code, with an Anti-Terrorism Act section added later. Their bail hearing in that protest case saw the judge irked by the investigation officer’s absence earlier this week.
What happens next
With the indictment complete, the trial moves to the recording of prosecution evidence. The court has summoned prosecution witnesses for Friday and ordered both accused to be produced in person. The defence may challenge the indictment order, as the judge himself noted. For now, the couple remains in custody at Adiala Jail.
Frequently asked questions
What case were Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha indicted in?
The security breach case, which concerns the alleged disruption of the security route of an international cricket team and incitement to public unrest. It is registered at Islamabad’s Secretariat Police Station.
Why did the defence object to the indictment?
Hadi Ali Chattha said he had not been given copies of the case documents. Advocate Zainab Janjua added that neither accused had received the case record or been allowed to meet their lawyers, so the requirements for framing charges were unmet.
When is the next hearing in the case?
The court summoned prosecution witnesses for Friday and adjourned proceedings until October 9, directing that both accused be produced at the next hearing.
What is the background of the cases against the couple?
Arrested on January 23 and sentenced to 17 years under PECA the next day, they had their sentences suspended by the Supreme Court on September 17, only to be re-arrested within hours in the Kohsar police station protest case.
