ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - A district court in Islamabad has sentenced Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha to 10 years in prison each in the controversial tweets case.
District and Sessions Judge Afzal Majoka announced the verdict in the case against Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha.
Both accused boycotted the court proceedings today, despite earlier orders by the high court directing them to cross-examine prosecution witnesses by this date.
Due to their judicial remand in another case, Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha were produced before the court via video link.
Imaan Mazari, Hadi Ali Chattha sent to jail on 14-day judicial remand
Barrister Fahad, Usman Rana, and Barrister Mansoor Azam appeared on behalf of the prosecution, while State Counsel Taimoor Janjua represented the accused.
The prosecution presented a total of five witnesses in the case. The prosecution also submitted a challan exceeding 30 pages.
Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha were accused of promoting the agenda of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) and other banned organizations, as well as disseminating material against state institutions.
Various tweets by Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha were submitted as evidence by the prosecution.
A speech by Imaan Mazari deemed anti-state was also presented before the court.
Under Section 9 of the PECA Act, the court sentenced both accused to five years in prison each, while under Section 10, they were awarded 10 years’ imprisonment each.