Staff Reporter
RAWALPINDI: An anti-terrorism court has sentenced lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha to 10 years in prison each in a case involving the removal of barriers and interference in official duties.
ATC Judge Tahir Abbas Supra announced the verdict at Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi and imposed fines on both defendants under three legal provisions.
The charges were framed on October 7, while the prosecution presented seven witnesses during the trial. State counsel Atif Mahmood cross-examined the witnesses. The case against the couple was registered on October 25, 2024.
In their separate statements, Mazari and Chattha described themselves as prisoners of conscience and alleged that their constitutional rights to a fair trial and due process had been violated. They said they had challenged the jail trial before the Islamabad High Court and the Supreme Court.
Mazari also alleged that keeping them in a cage during court proceedings prevented effective communication with their lawyers and the judge. The couple criticised the evidence presented against them and accused the state of persecution.
They further said they had received 17-year prison sentences a day after their arrest on January 23.