An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Islamabad on Thursday sentenced PTI MNA Abdul Latif and 10 other accused to 10 years in prison in connection with the May 9 protest case registered at Ramna police station.
The court handed down the punishment under various anti-terrorism charges after finding the accused guilty of attacking a police station, inciting violence, and damaging public property during the protests that followed the arrest of former Prime Minister Imran Khan last year.
According to the verdict, the convicts received 5 years for attempted murder of police personnel, 4 years for arson involving a motorcycle, 3 years for obstructing law enforcement from performing duties, and one year for forming an unlawful assembly to commit crimes.
The court told MNA Abdul Latif that he faced serious allegations of attacking a police station, supported by testimonies of 20 prosecution witnesses, including magistrates.
In his remarks, the ATC judge noted that protests must be peaceful and warned against attacking state institutions. “You are accused of attacking police stations in Islamabad. If our own people attack police stations, the country will no longer be livable,” he said.
The verdict comes amid ongoing legal proceedings against PTI leaders and supporters linked to the May 9 violence across the country.
