Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Civilians in Pakistan's military courts

A 3-judge bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan has been hearing a challenge to the military trial of a civilian. This report observes:
The Supreme Court on Tuesday adjourned hearing of the case regarding conviction of a civilian by the military court and remarked that civilians can be trialed by the military court. 
The court remarked that the five-member larger bench of the apex court in its ruling had already remarked that civilians can be trialed in military courts. 
The three-member bench of the apex court headed by Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case filed by Ihsan Azeem against his conviction by the military court. 
During the course of proceedings, the counsel for petitioner apprised the court that the accused was arrested from Wah Cantt on July 22, 2013. 
He said that the accused was held over alleged murder. He also informed the court that counsel's access to his client was also denied by the military court. 
He said that the military court awarded death sentence to his client in one sided trial. 
Justice Saqib Nisar remarked that civilians trial in military court was according to law but the court had opened options in this regard. 
The bench also observed that the case should be referred to the judge who authored verdict in military court's trial case.

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