ISLAMABAD: A district and sessions court in Islamabad sentenced Iman Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha to 10 years in prison each on Saturday for allegedly posting controversial tweets.
The Additional Sessions Judge, Afzal Majuka, delivered a brief verdict in the courtroom. The verdict was announced after the defendants boycotted the court proceedings earlier in the day. The Islamabad High Court had previously instructed both individuals to cross-examine prosecution witnesses by this date.
Due to their judicial remand in another case, Mazari and Chattha attended the court via video link. The prosecution team, which included Barrister Fahad, Advocate Usman Rana, and Barrister Mansoor Azam, was present, while State Counsel Taimur Janjua represented the accused.
Additional Sessions Judge Afzal Majuka issued a 22-page written order. Under Section 9 of the PECA Act, 5 years imprisonment, a fine of Rs 5 million, and under Section ten, 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 30 million were given by the court.
Moreoverm Under Section 26A, 2 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 million were sentenced to them. A total fine of Rs 36 million was imposed on both accused.
According to the prosecution, five witnesses testified during the trial, and a charge sheet exceeding 30 pages was submitted to the court. The prosecution alleged that the accused were involved in promoting the agenda of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) and other banned organizations, as well as disseminating material against state institutions.
The prosecution also presented various tweets attributed to the defendants as evidence, along with what it described as a speech by Iman Mazari containing anti-state remarks.
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