Wazir was arrested on Saturday and Iman was picked up from home early Sunday morning. Two initial information indications (FIRs) were registered for the two at Islamabad’s Tar Nor Police Station and the Counter-Terrorism Detachment (CTD) on Saturday.
The arrests came two days after a public rally organized by the Pashtun Tahafs Movement (PTM). PTM members Mr. Wazir and Ms.Iman both spoke at the rally. A video circulating on social media showed a speaker criticizing military authorities over enforced disappearances. The two appeared before Judge Itasham Alam Khan’s court on Sunday. According to a detailed court order, Investigators (IO) requested 10 days pretrial detention in a hate speech case registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 (ATA). A judge granted a day of pretrial detention, ordered police to do so, and brought the two to an anti-terrorism court on Monday (today).
The two were then taken today by police to the court of ATC Judge Abul Hasnat Zulqarnain. Before the hearing began, Iman hugged her mother, Shireen Mazari, with tears in her eyes. Iman’s legal team, including Zainab Janjua, attended the hearing today. Ms.janjua took the podium and claimed that the police had already held her client for a day. “The police haven’t found anything yet,” she said, adding that the police haven’t investigated anything related to Imaan either.
“Iman Mazari will not run away. She is here,” she insisted. The lawyer also pointed out that police had seized Iman’s mobile phone and laptop, adding that two similar cases had been filed against her client. The attorney argued that her client did not need to remain in police custody and asked the court to hold her in pretrial detention.
“What are the charges against Iman Mazari?” asked the judge. Prosecutor Raja Naveed said “a rally was held in Islamabad where anti-state speeches were made. The lawyer also noted that Iman was detained in his pajamas and was put on trial in the process.Police may forget that the mother and sisters are at home,” the lawyer said. Iman’s legal team then asked the court for permission to meet with his client.
“She fainted yesterday. I didn’t see her at police station,” the lawyer said. “Iman Mazari is calling for accountability for organizations labeled as terrorists,” she said. But prosecutor Naveed said any criticism of the director was tantamount to criticism of the facility itself. He then requested 10 days of pretrial detention for Imaan and Wazir.
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