RAWALPINDI, Nov 25 (NNI): Two former army officers were awarded long
prison sentences for inciting soldiers to revolt after their
court-martial trial under Pakistan Army Act.
According to a statement issued by the military’s media wing
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Saturday, Major (retd) Adil
Farooq Raja was handed 13-year rigorous imprisonment while Captain
(retd) Haider Raza Mehdi was given 12-year jail sentence.
Military’s Field General Court Martial (FGCM) convicted the two former
officers of army under Pakistan Army Act 1952.
The ISPR statement said Adil Farooq Raja and Haider Raza Mehdi, both
retired officers of Pakistan Army, were convicted and sentenced through
Field General Court Martial (FGCM) under Pakistan Army Act, 1952 for the
charges of inciting sedition among army personnel from discharge of
duties and violation of the provisions of Official Secrets Act, 1923
related to espionage and acts prejudicial to the safety and interest of
the State.
“The court of competent jurisdiction convicted and adjudged both the
individuals on the date of 7th and 9th October 2023, through due
judicial process, with the punishments awarded as: Major (Retired) Adil
Farooq Raja; awarded 14 years rigorous imprisonment. Captain (Retired)
Haider Raza Mehdi; awarded 12 years rigorous imprisonment,” the ISPR
added.
It said pursuant to the awarded sentence, the ranks of both officers had
been forfeited on November 21 2023.
Earlier, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officially requested
Interpol to issue a Red Notice for the apprehension of Adil Raja, a
Pakistani national residing abroad, aiming to bring him back to Pakistan
for legal proceedings.
The FIA initiated communication with Interpol to arrest these
individuals involved in social media extremism and extradite them back
to Pakistan for legal proceedings.
Adil Raja fled from Pakistan last year in April. He was known for doing
propaganda against state institutions under nefarious plans to create
anarchy in Pakistan. His YouTube channel was recently also banned for
spreading misinformation. NNI
