Pakistani court sentences journalists to life for 2023 pro-Khan protests | Court News

Court convicts journalists in absentia for alleged links to violent unrest following arrest of ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan in May 2023.

A Pakistani court sentenced several journalists and social media commentators to life in prison after finding them guilty of inciting violence during riots in 2023 linked to the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

An anti-terrorism court judge, Tahir Abbas Sipra, announced the verdict on Friday in the capital, Islamabad, following trials held in absentia.

The convicts 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 decision.

None of the accused were present in court because they were living abroad after leaving Pakistan in recent years to avoid arrest.

The convictions stem from cases recorded after the May 2023 unrest that saw some of Khan’s supporters attack military installations and government property in response to his brief arrest in a corruption case.

Since then, the Pakistani government and military have launched a broad crackdown on Khan’s party and dissenting voices, using anti-terrorism laws and military trials to pursue hundreds accused of incitement and attacks against state institutions.

The Committee to Protect Journalists said in 2023 that the investigations were retaliation for critical reporting.

“The authorities must immediately drop these investigations and end the relentless intimidation and censorship of the media,” said Beh Lih Yi, CPJ Asia program coordinator.

Journalist Sabir Shakir, who previously hosted a popular television show on ARY TV before leaving Pakistan, told the Associated Press news agency on Friday that he was aware of his conviction.

He said he was not in the country when police accused him of encouraging mob violence.

“The ruling against me and others is nothing but political victimization,” Shakir told the AP.

According to Friday’s court order, those found guilty have the right to appeal within seven days.

The court also ordered the police to arrest them and transfer them to jail if they returned to Pakistan.