Swat anti-terrorism judge, family threatened by Taliban

[sparklingway]

As is thr norm, ATC judges are threatened and in more than one case have been killed by terrorists.

Swat anti-terrorism judge, family threatened by Taliban
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Tuesday, June 29, 2010
By Rauf Klasra

ISLAMABAD: The family of anti-terrorism judge, Malakand Division, Mohammad Asim Imam, who is currently dealing with terrorism cases of Sufi Mohammad and his group of the Taliban arrested last year during the military operation, received threats from the three armed Taliban, who visited the residence of the judge in Peshawar city on Saturday.

As the judge’s wife, his two daughters and a son were not at home when the Taliban visited their place, they left a message for the family and the judge to fall in line or be ready for the consequences. They also told the family cook, the only person present in the house at that time, to tell the judge that they were after him and would soon sort him out. This is the first time since the completion of the military operation in Swat last year that a judge dealing with the anti-terrorism cases has received threats from the Taliban. The judge, whosefamily is now under serious threat, is the son-in-law of retired Justice Javed Nawaz Gandapur of the Peshawar High Court. Justice Gandapur, who refused to support Musharraf, was sent home in 2000 although he was supposed to retire from service in 2009.

The family of anti-terrorism judge Asim lives in Peshawar, where his wife works as senior research officer at the provincial assembly secretariat. The judge has two daughters aged 15 and 13 and a 5-year-old son.

Talking to The News from Peshawar, Justice (retd) Gandapur confirmed that his daughter and grand children were issued threats on Saturday evening. He said he immediately reported the incident to the authorities concerned. The government has provided security to the family but he was still worried about the safety of his son-in-law, who is serving in the danger zone of Malakand, the hub of the Taliban.

Asim Imam (BPS-21) is posted at the Malakand Division as anti-terrorism judge. Right now he is in the final phase of prosecuting those arrested Taliban, who took up arms against the state of Pakistan.

 

[M8R]

How they hell they entered house of Judge?There are security guards..?I think Army protection should be provided to Anti Terrorism Judges.Police is too ineffective.I think Army should raise a new Counter Terrorism Unit like Rangers to specifically counter terrorism and provide security.

 

[sparklingway]

How they hell they entered house of Judge?There are security guards..?

Probably because his official residence is not in Peshawar and this was his personal home. Although they are provided a police patrol, a number of guards and round-the-clock protection, I can imagine that it would be near impossible to provide round-the-clock security to the private home and children moving throughout the city. Also keep in mind that KP Police is already understaffed and has witnessed a sever shortage of SIs because of terrorism. Nonetheless, security for the judge should be improved. Harassing judges is the easiest way for terrorists to twist the legal system.

Hope he hands a death sentence to Sufi Mohammad and all cronies.

 

[Solomon2]

Guarding judges is a must, guarding witnesses and policemen's families comes next. Has any progress been made on that front over the past year?

 

[sparklingway]

Guarding judges is a must, guarding witnesses and policemen's families comes next. Has any progress been made on that front over the past year?

Anti Terrorism Court Judges have been guarded always besides protection for senior judges in criminal courts who handle cases that can carry the death penalty.

Witnesses are provided protection only in the rarest of circumstances. That is why witnesses do not testify before the court. In fact during a trial of a famous sectarian terrorist, eight witnesses were killed within a week.

 

[SparklingCrescent]

This is what I mean. Army should've shot the hell out of these rock lickesrs on the spot. After all, no body's a threat to TTP other than Pakistan Army.

Anyways, we need to eliminate the valuable commanders we've apprehended once in for all. Or else we'll have the Karachi incident repeated again but in Swat.

Ive also read yesterday that the Sufi's servents along with his dog Muslim Khan will be tried under shariah Law.

PESHAWAR: Awami National Party (ANP) Provincial President Afrasiyab Khattak on Sunday said the accused arrested in connection with terrorist activities in Malakand division including founder of the defunct Tanzim Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) Maulana Sufi Muhammad would be tried in Shariah courts.

As long as these rock lickers remain in prison, we'll keep on truckin more threats, but we must, not under any conditions kiss goodbye.

I can virtually visualize them pissing their pants. Lets give them a taste of what they've been fighting for.

 

[sparklingway]

This is why it happened:-

Sufi Muhammad to be presented in court today
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June 29, 2010

Sufi Muhammad will be presented in court today.​

Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM) Chief Maulana Sufi Muhammad is scheduled to be presented in an anti-terrorism court of Mingora on Tuesday (today).

Sufi Muhammad will be appearing before the court of Asim Imam in Swat, which was retaken from the militants’ control last summer.

Kept until now in the central jail of Peshawar, Sufi Muhammad was shifted to Swat for the trial.

The banned organization’s chief was arrested last year during the military operation against militants in Swat. Sufi Muhammad was accused of supporting the Taliban and issuing decrees in their favour.

His son-in-law Maulana Fazlullah was leading the militants in Swat at the time he got arrested.

Officials said the cleric would face charges of sedition, conspiring against the state and encouraging terrorism.

 

[Solomon2]

Without protection of witnesses and law enforcement, justice can only be applied at the convenience of the accused, yes? This is a recipe for anarchy and the establishment of a state-within-a-state, is it not?

Are there any plans to make witness protection a higher priority, or is there every indication that lawmakers prefer the current situation?