F.P. Report
RAWALPINDI: 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.
