ATC throws out Omar Ayub's bail pleas in May 9 cases

PTI's former opposition leader Omar Ayub's pre-arrest bail pleas in three cases linked to the May 9 riots have been dismissed by Lahore's Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC).

Judge Arshad Javed presided over the hearing, dismissing all three interim bails due to non-prosecution. The court also rejected Ayub's request for a one-day exemption from appearing personally.

The cases against the former opposition leader involve allegations of burning police vehicles in Gulberg, setting a container ablaze at Kalma Chowk, and attacking Islamabad Police at Zaman Park. All three FIRs pertain to incidents registered in the aftermath of the May 9, 2023 unrest.

Read: Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz among 59 convicted by ATC in Rana Sanaullah residence attack case

In August this year, an ATC in Faisalabad sentenced Ayub, along with 16 other PTI leaders, to 10 years in a May 9 case regarding an attack on PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah's house. Ayub's interim bail petitions in three separate cases had also been rejected by Judge Arshad Javed in Lahore. The cases pertained to alleged attacks on military installations during May 9.

Non-bailable arrest warrants were then issued for PTI leaders, including the former opposition leader.

Read More: ATC issues arrest warrants for Omar Ayub, Shibli Faraz over May 9 riots

The May 9, 2023 riots erupted following the arrest of PTI founder Imran Khan from the Islamabad High Court premises. The protests resulted in hundreds of PTI workers and leaders being booked in cases related to the unrest.

Multiple PTI leaders, including Opposition Leader in the Senate Shibli Faraz and former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry, have also faced charges in connection with the May 9 unrest, as cases regarding the unrest continue on.