Islamabad court orders video appearance for lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha

An anti-terrorism court in Islamabad has ordered human rights lawyers Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha to appear via video link for their next hearing. The directive follows the failure of Adiala Jail authorities to produce the couple in court despite previous instructions.

The legal proceedings involve allegations of protocol violations and attacks on police officials. During the hearing, disputes arose regarding the processing of powers of attorney for the couple. While one counsel noted that Chattha’s document had been presented, jail officials claimed certain documents lacked necessary signatures, leading to concerns regarding the couple's access to legal representation and their wellbeing in custody.

Human rights organizations, including FORUM-ASIA, have expressed grave concern over what they describe as a cycle of judicial harassment. They noted that the lawyers were re-arrested on charges related to a protest shortly after the Supreme Court had granted them bail in a separate case. Advocates argue that the repeated use of successive criminal proceedings is being used to circumvent judicial relief and restrict the liberty of human rights defenders.