Pak military courts grant pardon to 19 convicts involved in May 9 riots
Military Courts Pardon 19 Convicts from May 9 Protests in Pakistan
In Islamabad, Pakistan, military courts have pardoned 19 individuals involved in the May 9, 2023 riots, which followed the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced that the convicts, who had filed pleas for mercy, were granted pardon according to the law. They will be released after completing official procedures.
Imran Khan was arrested on May 9, 2023, at the Islamabad High Court during a corruption case hearing. His arrest led to widespread protests by his supporters, who vandalized several civil and military sites, including the army's General Headquarters in Rawalpindi. Over 5,000 people were arrested under the Anti-Terrorism Act and other laws.
Recently, the US expressed concerns over the conviction of 25 civilians by military courts for their involvement in the riots. The US State Department and the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office have called for fair trials and due process for those sentenced.
Doubts Revealed
Military Courts
Military courts are special courts run by the military, which is the army, navy, and air force. They handle cases related to national security and military personnel. In some countries, they can also try civilians for certain offenses.
Pardon
A pardon is when someone who has been found guilty of a crime is forgiven and released from punishment. It means they don't have to serve their sentence anymore.
May 9 Protests
The May 9 protests in Pakistan happened in 2023 after the arrest of Imran Khan, who used to be the Prime Minister. Many people were upset and protested, which led to some damage and many arrests.
Imran Khan
Imran Khan is a famous person in Pakistan who was the Prime Minister. Before politics, he was a well-known cricket player.
US and UK Concerns
The US and UK are countries that have shown worry about how the military courts in Pakistan are handling the trials. They want to make sure that the trials are fair and follow the law properly.
Due Process
Due process is a legal term that means everyone should get a fair trial and their rights should be respected. It ensures that the law is followed correctly when someone is accused of a crime.
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *