‘Jihadi videos’: ATC convicts shopkeeper for distributing hate material

Awards 21 days in the slammer, fine of Rs1,000.

PESHAWAR: An anti-terrorism court convicted a shopkeeper charged with the sale and distribution of “jihadi” material. The accused was sentenced to 21 days in prison and fined for Rs1,000.

Bhanamari police arrested Malik Nawab, who owns a mobile phone shop in their jurisdiction, on February 23. Nawab was accused of downloading and then transferring “jihadi videos” and other hate material into cell phones of customers. Police claimed the videos were circulated by various militant organisations and contained content that could incite people against the state.

The prosecution told judge Salim Jan Khan that during the raid, the police recovered a number of VCDs and other equipment which was used for the said purpose. “Videos were being transferred into memory cards and USBs of customers for a nominal amount,” said the prosecutor.

The court was informed there was ample evidence to establish the guilt of the accused.

“The country is going through a difficult period and the propagation of hate material can cause further deterioration of law and order,” he added.

Meanwhile, the defence attorney argued his client was falsely implicated in the case and he was guilty of no illegal activity.

Upon hearing the arguments, the court declared Nawab guilty and sentenced him to 21 days in jail and a fine.

The National Action Plan formulated on December 25, 2014 after the brazen Army Public School attack stated the promotion of sectarianism, extremism and intolerance will not be permitted and action will be taken against all those involved in the propaganda.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2015.