Anti-terror laws used against the Baloch

11-02-2009

Protest against Baloch terror trial


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Baloch terrorism trial "not guilty" verdict
Jury acquits defendants framed by Musharraf regime
Defendants Hyrbyair Marri and Faiz Baluch vindicated

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London – 11 February 2009

Baluchistan human rights activists, Hyrbyair Marri and Faiz Baluch, have been acquitted of terrorism charges today, 11 February 2009, at Woolwich Crown Court in London.

Mr Baluch was acquitted of all charges. Mr Marri was acquitted of three charges, with the jury unable to come to a verdict on the othertwo charges.

Mr Marri is a former Balochistan MP and government minister. Mr Baluch is a human rights activist. Both are exiles based in London.

"All the evidence suggests that Marri and Baluch were framed by the Musharraf dictatorship to silence their highly effective campaigning against Pakistan's human rights abuses in Balochistan," said human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, who stood bail for Mr Baluch.

"This case began with Musharraf's regime orchestrating fabricated charges of terrorism against Mr Marri and then pressing the UK authorities to arrest him.

"It appears that the British government was blackmailed into arresting the two defendants. Musharraf's agents reportedly issued an ultimatum to the UK authorities: arrest these men or we will halt all cooperation in the war on terror. The government apparently caved in to these demands. It decided the defendants were expendable for the so-called 'greater good' of anti-terrorist cooperation with the Pakistani regime.

"The police and security agencies in the UK initiated the terrorism charges based on evidence provided to them by Musharraf's dictatorship – a dictatorship that the defendants campaigned against.

"Our government has ignored the fact that Musharraf's men in the Pakistani intelligence agency, the ISI, are notorious for framing political opponents, especially Baloch nationalists and human rights defenders.

"Although Musharraf is no longer President, his supporters and allies still hold key positions in the Pakistani military and intelligence services. They continue to persecute and frame Baloch nationalists," said Mr Tatchell.

For more information see www.petertatchell.net