Politics · Singapore Bureau
Pakistan court sentences prominent rights lawyers to 10 years imprisonment
An anti-terrorism court in Lahore has sentenced human rights advocates Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha to a decade in prison on security breach charges, according to family members.
LSN Singapore ·
A Pakistani anti-terrorism court in Lahore handed down a 10-year prison sentence against prominent human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her spouse Hadi Ali Chattha on Thursday, her family confirmed. The couple faced charges related to a security breach, according to court proceedings in the provincial capital.
Mazari, known for her advocacy work and public commentary on human rights issues in Pakistan, was tried alongside her husband in the specialized court. The sentencing marks a significant development in a case that has drawn attention from civil society observers and international rights groups monitoring legal proceedings in the country.
The conviction underscores ongoing concerns about press freedom and legal protections for activists and lawyers operating in Pakistan. Rights advocates have previously flagged concerns about the use of security-related charges against vocal critics and members of the legal profession.
Details regarding the specific security breach allegations and the couple's defence arguments were not immediately available. Family representatives confirmed the court's verdict, though appeals procedures remain available to the defendants under Pakistani law.