Human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari and husband arrested in Pakistan
- Human Rights Research Center
- 36 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Author: Peter Clarkin, MA
January 29, 2026
HRRC strongly condemns the lengthy and unjust sentencing imposed by a Pakistani court on human rights lawyers, Imaan Mazari and Hadi Alit Chattha. The pair were victims of an unlawful arrest and were forced into an illegitimate trial, leading to a 17-year prison sentence. Immediate pressure must be put on the government of Pakistan to ensure the release of Mazari and Chattha.
![Human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari (right) with her husband and fellow lawyer Hadi Ali Chattha, during a court hearing in Islamabad on Dec. 5. [Image credit: AFP-JIJI]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e28a6b_4a92980088004a47b967eb2668ebb4fa~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_33,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_avif,quality_auto/e28a6b_4a92980088004a47b967eb2668ebb4fa~mv2.png)
On January 26, a court in Islamabad, Pakistan imposed a 17-year prison sentence on prominent human rights lawyers, Imaan Mazari and Hadi Alit Chattha. The sentencing came the day after the pair were arrested for posting supposed anti-state comments on social media, with court documents stating that they “disseminated highly offensive” content.
Their arrests came while the couple were travelling to the District Sessions court for a scheduled appearance to face charges under Pakistan’s cyber crime law. They were arrested by overly aggressive police officers, who removed the pair, separated them from their lawyers with force and transported them to an undisclosed location. No immediate reason was given for their arrests, and fears for their safety were immediately raised.
After their forced arrest, Mazari and Chattha were ordered to appear without their lawyers before an anti-terrorism court (ATC). During the trial Chattha and Mazari were briefly present over a video call but ultimately boycotted the trial. These actions were cited as a justification for the ATC to end the trial and subsequently deliver the harsh sentencing.
The investigation into the so-called “tweets case” against Mazari has been ongoing since August 2025. Amnesty International have condemned the actions of the Pakistan government and accused them of running “a sustained campaign of judicial harassment and intimidation” against the lawyer.
The basis of the accusation is around Mazari’s posting of content over a four year period that was allegedly “targeting important State Institutions of Pakistan”. Around that time the exact same charges were brought on Chattha, even though his actions only extended to the sharing and reposting of Mazari’s posts.
Within the human rights community, condemnation of the sentencing of both Mazari and Chattha has been widespread. However, more must be done to ensure that this case is brought to a wider audience, and that the unjust sentencing that has been placed on the couple is lifted.
Glossary
Anti-state – opposed to the government or the interests of the state.
Boycotted – deliberately refused to take part in or support something.
Condemnation – strong public criticism or disapproval.
Disseminated – spread or widely distributed.
Illegitimate – not lawful, valid, or officially accepted.
Justification – a reason or explanation given to defend an action or decision.
Prominent – well-known or important.
Quashed – officially cancelled or declared invalid, usually by a court.
Resolution – a formal decision or agreement.
Transpired – became known; happened or occurred.
Undisclosed – not revealed or made public.
Unjust – unfair or morally wrong.
Unlawful – not allowed by law.
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