An Anti-Terrorism Court in Islamabad on Monday discharged 102 protesters from former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's party who were arrested after the “Final Call” protest on November 24.
Out of 357 protesters presented in court, 102 were cleared of charges, while 40 were sent to jail on judicial remand. The remaining 215 were placed in police custody for further investigation.
The demonstrators were detained during and after PTI’s protest, which called for an investigation into alleged electoral fraud and the release of the party’s founder, Imran Khan.
Unlike earlier incidents, the police did not rearrest any of the released workers. Advocate Ansar Kiyani, representing PTI, told Nukta, “The judge came outside the court today and told the police not to rearrest protesters.”
Security force personnel fire tear gas shells to disperse the supporters of the former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), during a protest to demand the release of Khan, in Islamabad, Pakistan, November 26, 2024.
Reuters
Among those released was a 14-year-old boy who claimed he was wrongfully arrested. “I was picked up on November 30, 28 kilometers from the protest site,” he said. “I work in my uncle’s scrap shop and had nothing to do with the protest. I spent 14 days in jail and two days in a police station.”
Another released protester, Muhammad Yousaf, denied involvement as well. “I wasn’t near the protest site from November 20 to 30, but I was still arrested,” Yousaf said. He described harsh conditions, claiming 105 protesters were held in one room at Jhelum Jail.
The court’s process involves identifying protesters through parades. Those not identified are being released, while those confirmed are facing prosecution under terrorism laws and sections of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Nearly 1,000 protesters were arrested following the November 24 demonstration. Many have been held in Attock and Jhelum jails due to overcrowding at Adiala Jail.
The discharge of protesters signals a possible easing of the crackdown as PTI workers continue to face legal proceedings.
*Reporting by Ali Hamza
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