ISLAMABAD: On Tuesday, the General Court Martial (GCM) convicted five former naval officers to death, but the Islamabad High Court (IHC) postponed their execution.
Justice Babar Sattar stated in a written ruling published by the IHC that the petitioners’ fundamental rights as protected by Articles 9 and 10 A of the Constitution are at issue in the case at hand.
It continued, “The petitioners contend that they were given a death sentence in a General Court Martial (GCM) and that they were not permitted to have legal representation during such proceedings.”
Additionally, the ruling stated that a petitioner’s attorney suggested that acceptable papers to be shared with the petitioners were the court record and the evidence abstract.
According to the order, the petitioner said that because he was unable to obtain these records, he filed an appeal, which was later dismissed, and the death penalty was upheld.
The petitioner was quoted in the ruling as arguing that the petitioners were barred from defending their rights since their lawyer was only given restricted access and was shown certain papers.
