Pakistani Rights Activist and Husband Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison
A Pakistani anti-terrorism court has sentenced prominent human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, Hadi Ali Chattha, to 10 years in prison in a security breach case. The couple was accused of removing road barriers in Islamabad along a route designated for England's cricket team during its 2024 visit, which prosecutors claimed obstructed police and incited public unrest.
The court also imposed additional sentences of one year and two years on the couple on separate charges of obstructing and assaulting government servants. However, the sentences will run concurrently, meaning the couple will serve a total of 10 years in prison.
Mazari, who has received international recognition for her work defending minorities and journalists, and Chattha have drawn support from human rights groups that have condemned their imprisonment. The couple's family has announced plans to appeal the verdict to the Supreme Court.
The case has sparked concerns about the treatment of human rights activists in Pakistan, with many criticizing the government's handling of the situation. Mazari and Chattha have been held in Adiala Jail since earlier this year and have maintained their innocence throughout the trial.
