Washington D.C: The United States has expressed concern over the sentencing of Pakistani civilians by a military court for their alleged involvement in riots on May 9, 2023.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller urged Pakistani authorities to “respect” the right to a fair trial and due process.
Read more: Military Courts Sentence 25 May 9 Rioters: ISPR
The development comes days after a military court sentenced 25 civilians to jail for two to ten years, for their alleged involvement in the May 9 riots, the military’s media affairs wing said.
In a statement, the ISPR noted that in the first phase, the Field General Court Martial issued punishments to 25 accused after examining all evidence.
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It added that those awarded punishments were given all legal rights to defend themselves.
Fourteen of the 25 convicted were sentenced to 10 years in jail. Most of them were arrested for vandalizing the Corps Commander House Lahore, later called the “Jinnah House.”
