Islamabad High Court Suspends Sentences of 10 Convicted in May 9 Protests After Imran Khan's Arrest
Islamabad High Court Suspends Sentences of 10 Convicted in May 9 Protests
In Islamabad, Pakistan, the High Court has suspended the sentences of 10 individuals convicted for their involvement in protests that erupted on May 9, 2023, following the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The decision was made by a division bench consisting of Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani and Justice Sardar Ejaz Ishaq Khan. The convicts were granted bail after submitting surety bonds worth PKR 25,000 each.
Previously, an anti-terrorism court had sentenced these individuals to a total of five years and 10 months in prison for allegedly targeting police personnel and setting a checkpoint on fire at Faizabad Interchange in Islamabad. However, the High Court noted that the case records did not prove that any of the convicts were arrested at the protest site. Defense lawyers highlighted that the trial court had acquitted the accused of terrorism charges, convicting them on lesser offenses instead.
The prosecution argued that the trial court's verdict was based on forensic and CCTV evidence, opposing the suspension of sentences. The chargesheet indicated that five of the convicted individuals were Afghan nationals, prompting the court to request original identity documents for verification. The court instructed the convicts to attend all future hearings as the appeals process continues.
Additionally, on January 22, an Anti-Terrorism Court issued non-bailable arrest warrants for several Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leaders, including Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz, for their alleged roles in the May 9 riots. These warrants were issued due to their failure to appear in court. The protests, which turned violent, were sparked by the arrest of Imran Khan, leading to attacks on army installations and widespread unrest across Pakistan.
Doubts Revealed
Islamabad High Court
The Islamabad High Court is a court in Pakistan's capital city, Islamabad. It deals with legal cases and makes important decisions about the law.
Suspends Sentences
When a court suspends sentences, it means that the punishment given to someone is put on hold for a while. The person doesn't have to go to jail immediately.
May 9 Protests
These were protests that happened on May 9, 2023, in Pakistan. People were upset about the arrest of Imran Khan, a political leader, and they gathered to show their anger.
Imran Khan
Imran Khan is a famous politician in Pakistan. He was the Prime Minister of Pakistan and is a leader of a political party called PTI.
Surety Bonds
Surety bonds are like a promise made with money. When someone gets bail, they or someone else pays money to the court to promise that they will come back for their trial.
Prosecution
The prosecution is the side in a legal case that tries to prove someone is guilty of a crime. They present evidence and arguments in court.
Forensic Evidence
Forensic evidence is scientific proof used in court to show what happened in a crime. It can include things like fingerprints, DNA, or video footage.
Non-bailable Arrest Warrants
These are orders from the court to arrest someone, and the person cannot be released on bail. It means they have to stay in custody until their trial.
PTI Leaders
PTI stands for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, which is a political party in Pakistan. The leaders are the people in charge of the party.
Riots
Riots are violent disturbances caused by a group of people. They often happen during protests when people are very angry and things get out of control.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *