Islamabad court sentences Imaan Mazari, husband to 17 years in prison

Issuing the written verdict against lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha in the controversial tweet case, the District and Sessions Court of Islamabad on Saturday sentenced them to a total of 17 years in prison each under various sections, Aaj News reported.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka issued the 22-page detailed judgment. According to the court order, Imaan and Hadi were sentenced under different sections of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

The court ordered 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs30 million each for lawyer and social activist Imaan and her spouse under Section 10. The court also sentenced both to five years in prison and a fine of Rs5 million each under Section 9 of the PECA Act, and two years in prison with a fine of Rs1 million each under Section 26-A of the PECA Act.

The court maintained in its decision that the controversial tweets posted by the accused fall under the category of serious offenses within the legal framework, for which no leniency can be granted. The court clarified that breaking the law cannot be permitted in the name of freedom of expression.

Strict security arrangements were made around the court following the verdict.

During the hearing, the court ordered the SSP Operations and the deputy director of the National Cyber Crimes Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to produce the accused. The judge had ordered the accused to be presented in court at 10:00 AM, noting that today was the final day for cross-examination in light of the high court’s order.

It is worth noting that Islamabad police arrested lawyer and social activist Imaan and her husband on Friday. Both individuals were travelling in an Islamabad High Court Bar Association van when police stopped the vehicle near the Serena Chowk underpass to make the arrest. They both are accused in the controversial tweet case.