Human rights lawyer couple jailed in Pakistan over 2024 cricket tour incident
Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha received 10-year sentences for alleged security breach charges.
By Spark News Desk · · India
A Pakistani anti-terrorism court sentenced human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha to 10 years in prison for allegedly removing road barriers during England’s cricket tour in 2024. Both denied the charges.
The couple had previously been sentenced to up to 17 years for social media posts criticizing the military, but those sentences were suspended in August. They were re-arrested before they could be released. The latest case involves obstructing police at a key junction in Islamabad.
Amnesty International said the trial was unfair and called the convictions an indictment of Pakistan’s justice system. The couple described themselves as 'prisoners of conscience' and claimed they are being targeted for their activism.
Why it matters
The sentencing could discourage human rights defenders in Pakistan from speaking out and raises concerns about judicial independence.
Sources
- Human rights lawyer couple sentenced to 10 years' prison in Pakistan — BBC News
- Russia’s Novaya Gazeta ‘killed off’ after murders, arrests and pressure — Al Jazeera
Written by the Spark News Desk with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. See our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.