ATC reveals judgment in two cases registered in wake of vandalism on 9 May 2023
ISLAMABAD:
An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in the federal capital has sentenced over half a dozen journalists and YouTubers, including Adil Raja, to “rigorous imprisonment for life” for “digital terrorism” in two separate cases stemming from the May 9, 2023 violence.
Islamabad ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra on Friday revealed his verdict ending a trial held in absentia as none of the accused persons are in Pakistan
The cases were registered at Islamabad’s Aabpara Police Station and Ramna Police Station.
Prosecutors had charged the convicted individuals with “digital terrorism” – inciting, facilitating and amplifying attacks against state institutions during the May 9 unrest.
Gulfam Ashraf Goraya, a court-appointed lawyer for the accused, as well as Raja Naveed Hussain Kiani, the lawyer for the prosecution, were present in the courtroom when the judge announced the sentence.
Adil Raja, Shaheen Sehbai, Haider Mehdi and Wajahat Saeed were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment on two counts in the case registered at Ramna police station.
Journalists Sabir Shakir, Moeed Pirzada and Syed Akbar Hussain – nominated in the Aabpara police station FIR – were also sentenced to life imprisonment on two counts.
The court sentenced the accused to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 200,000 on each of them under Section 121-A of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) for waging or attempting to wage war against Pakistan.
They were punished with an additional 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 200,000. under section 131 of the PPC, which deals with inciting mutiny or attempting to seduce a soldier, sailor or airman from their duty.
The court also sentenced them to 5 years rigorous imprisonment on three counts under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), 1997. It also imposed a fine of Rs200,000 on each of them for the three offences.
If they fail to pay the fine for any of the offences, the duration of their imprisonment is extended by six months
The orders also stated that the benefit of section 382-B (period of deprivation of liberty to be taken into account when awarding a prison sentence) of the Criminal Procedure Act was extended to include the convicted and that all sentences were to run concurrently.
“The convict is informed that he has the right to file/prefer an appeal in the Hon’ble Islamabad High Court, Islamabad within seven days,” each of the orders said.
The court also authorized and directed the relevant station house officers to arrest the convict “when available and send him to prison for the commitment of his sentence”.
During the trial, a total of 24 witnesses were given by the prosecution in court, which, at the request of the prosecution, concluded the trial in the defendant’s absence. According to the ATA, 1997, a trial can be held in the defendant’s absence.
