ISLAMABAD, Nov 27(ABC): A court in Islamabad on Sunday approved Senator Azam Swati’s two-day physical remand after he was presented before the magistrate following his arrest Sunday morning for his controversial tweets against senior military officers.
Magistrate Waqas Ahmed Raja announced the verdict he had reserved after hearing arguments from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and Swati’s lawyers. The FIA had requested Swati’s physical remand for eight days but only two days were granted.
During the hearing, the investigating officer informed the court that the senator was arrested as there were some controversial tweets done by him. He added that the FIA seeks to recover the senator’s Twitter account, mobile and other things.
“Azam Swati is admitting that he did the tweet,” he added.
The senator also told the court that the statement that was given was in front of everyone.
However, Swati’s counsel Babar Awan contended that the tweets that were done do not meet the sections mentioned in the first information report.
After hearing the arguments the magistrate reserved the verdict in the case.
Swati arrested
The PTI leader was arrested once again for speaking against senior military officers early Sunday morning from his farmhouse located in Chak Shahzad, Islamabad.
FIA’s Cybercrime Wing arrested Swati for using foul language for the army chief and other senior military officers.
The case against the senator has been registered on FIA’s Technical Assistant Anis ur Rehman’s complaint. The case has been registered for libel and the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act.
The senator has been arrested under Sections 500, 501, 505 and 109. He was also arrested under the same provisions the last month.
FIA informs Senate chairman of arrest
The FIA, in a letter, informed Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani of Swati’s arrest. The FIR registered against the senator has also been added to the letter.
“After due process and permission from the authorities, Azam Swati was arrested,” FIA says in the letter.
Imran Khan shocked over arrest
“I am shocked and appalled at how rapidly we are descending into not just a banana republic but a fascist state. How can anyone not understand the pain and suffering Senator Swati underwent with custodial torture and blackmailing video of him and his conservative wife sent to his family?” asked PTI Chairman Imran Khan on his party lawmaker’s arrest.