Journalists handed double life sentences

An Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) sentenced seven people, including three journalists, two YouTubers and two retired army officers, to life imprisonment on Friday, after convicting them of inciting violence during riots in 2023 and spreading hatred against state institutions.

- Tariq Butt

ATC judge Tahir Abbas Sipra announced the verdict in Islamabad after completing trials held in absentia.None of the accused were present in court. They have been living abroad after leaving the country in recent years to avoid arrest.

The convicted in cases related to riots in Pakistan on May 9, 2023, include former army officers turned YouTubers Adil Raja and Syed Akbar Hussain, journalists Wajahat Saeed Khan, Sabir Shakir and Shaheen Sehbai, commentator Haider Raza Mehdi, and analyst Moeed Pirzada, according to the court's decision.

The riots - during which government and military installations were also vandalised - had erupted following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan.

The prosecution accused the convicted individuals of "digital terrorism against state institutions" in relation to the events of May 9, 2023. The cases stemmed from allegations that the accused used digital platforms to incite, facilitate and amplify attacks against state institutions during the May 9 unrest.

The trials were conducted in absentia on the prosecution's request and by means of invoking the relevant provisions of anti-terrorism laws.