Accused record statements in May 9 violence case

PESHAWAR: The Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Saturday scheduled the next hearing for arguments after recording the statements of the accused in a case related to the violent events of May 9.

The case was heard by ATC Judge Muhammad Iqbal Khan, during which the accused appeared in court and gave their statements.

According to the prosecution, the accused participated in protests on May 9 against the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan.

During the protests, the VIP gate of Balahisar Fort, Government Frontier College for Women, private banks and other private and government properties were damaged. One civilian also lost their life during the incident.

The accused, including provincial Minister Meena Khan Afridi, lawmakers Muhammad Asif, Arbab Sher Ali, and Fazal Elahi as well as former provincial minister Kamran Bangash, Taimur Saleem Jhagra and other PTI workers, had been charged in a case filed at Khan Raziq Shaheed Police Station.

The prosecution said that the trial was in its final stages, and the statements of the accused had been recorded.

The court then fixed the date for next hearing for arguments, during which the defence lawyers and the state prosecutor would present their final arguments.

Meanwhile, the ATC granted a three-day physical remand of an accused arrested for attacks on security checkpoints in Mohmand district and Shabqadar.

The accused, Fazal Samad, was produced in the ATC where the investigation officer informed the court that the accused was involved in attacks on security forces’ checkpoints in Mohmand district.

He also said that the accused had staged an attack on a police station in Shabqadar as well. He requested the court for physical remand of the accused for further investigation.

The court accepted the plea and handed the accused over to the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) for three days of physical remand.