SC moved for release of prisoners from intelligence agencies
07 January, 2012
ISLAMABAD: An application was moved in the Supreme Court on Friday for the release of eight prisoners who had been allegedly picked up by intelligence agencies from outside Adiala Jail following their release in 2010. Rohaifa, the mother of three of the prisoners, filed the application through Tariq Asad, making the defence secretary, ISI and MI directors general and Judge Advocate General (JAG) Department respondents. The petitioner said three of the 11 prisoners picked up by intelligence agencies died in their custody. She said her three sons – Syed Abdu Saboor, Syed Abdul Basit and Syed Abdul Majid – along with five other people were still in the "unlawful" custody of the agencies. Muhammad Aamir died on August 15, Tashinullah on December 17 and Said Arab died on December 18 last year. Their bodies were handed over to their families at the Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. Rohaifa's lawyer requested the court to direct the respondents to submit a report about the deaths the three prisoners, and the status of the remaining detainees. A disgusted Rohaifa said the respondents might be "directed to kill her sons, if courts cannot provide relief to me ...at least I will then be able bury my sons." The petitioner also said detention of the prisoners was violation of Articles 4, 10, 10-A and 14 of the Constitution. "The respondents should also be asked to explain if all the prisoners are subject to the Army Act," Rohaifa said in the petition. On April 8, 2010, Rawalpindi's anti-terrorism court acquitted the 11 prisoners of the charges framed against them by police. The day the prisoners were released from Adiala Jail, they were allegedly taken into custody by intelligence agencies. End.
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