Non-bailable arrest warrants for Imaan Mazari and Hadi Chattha issued

The District and Sessions Court in Islamabad issued non-bailable arrest warrants for human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and her husband, lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha, in the controversial tweet case on Tuesday.

According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, the development came after the couple failed to appear before the court following a recess during Tuesday’s hearing.

The court subsequently cancelled their bail and issued notices regarding their arrest, ordering Islamabad police to both take them into custody and present them before the court on Wednesday morning.

During the proceedings, Prosecutor Usman Rana Advocate represented the state, while Attaullah Kundi and other lawyers appeared on behalf of Imaan Mazari and Hadi Ali Chattha. After issuing its order, the court adjourned the hearing until tomorrow.

Earlier in the day, the trial had formally commenced when Additional District and Sessions Judge Muhammad Afzal Majoka framed charges against Mazari and Chattha.

The couple was absent at the time of indictment, though their assisting counsel was present.

When asked about their whereabouts, the lawyer informed the judge that they had initially appeared in court but had later left to attend another hearing in Rawalpindi.

The judge proceeded to read out the charge sheet and directed the assisting counsel to apply for a certified copy through proper judicial procedure.

The charge sheet against the two spans seven pages and includes the names of four prosecution witnesses, including Sub-Inspector Shehroz Riaz, Waseem Khan, Technical Assistant Anees Rehman, and Assistant Director Imran Haider, who are serving with the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). It also contains the text of several tweets allegedly posted by Imaan Mazari as evidence.

Reporter: Hashir Warraich