An Islamabad court has sent PTI spokesperson Raoof Hasan and nine others on 14 days’ judicial remand in a case involving the party’s alleged “anti-state digital campaigns”. Hasan was arrested last week during a raid by Islamabad police and FIA under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016. The Interior ministry accused PTI of “anti-state propaganda” and formed a JIT to investigate. Hasan’s defense mentioned his invitation to speak in Bahrain by someone in the UK. In court, the FIA prosecutor reported that all suspects were in contact. Despite a request for a further physical remand, the judge denied it, sending Hasan and others to jail for 14 days.
The court ordered a medical examination for Hasan due to “severe heart pain” and noted no maltreatment complaints. A request from FIA cited reports that suspects were orchestrating anti-state campaigns online and requested further interrogation and raids. The judge directed the suspects to return to court on August 13 and the IO to submit a report within the deadline.