On Sunday, a District and Sessions Court in Islamabad ordered journalist Asad Toor to be placed in Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) remand for three days in connection to allegations of his involvement in a defamatory social media campaign against Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa.
The FIA had requested a nine-day remand, but Toor’s legal representatives opposed the extension. Following the arguments, Duty Magistrate Abbas Shah approved the FIA’s plea, granting a three-day remand for the journalist.
During the court proceedings, Toor asserted that he would not surrender his mobile phone or disclose his sources, emphasizing the crucial role of protecting journalistic sources. He informed the court of his hunger strike, which he had initiated since his FIA detention on February 27. Despite food provided to him, Toor willingly refrained from eating.
A journalist in the courtroom persuaded Toor to end his hunger strike. The vlogger had gone without food for 36 hours as of February 29, raising concerns about his health.
Toor’s counsel, Imaan Mazari, emphasized that the ongoing investigation did not relate to contempt of judges but rather focused on pressuring Toor to reveal his sources and social media account passwords.
On February 27, Judicial Magistrate Islamabad Muhammad Shabbir had previously placed the vlogger on a five-day physical remand, instructing the agency to present Toor again on March 3, 2024.
The FIR against Toor alleges that he conducted a malicious campaign against the judiciary on social media platforms X and YouTube, fueling anti-state activities. He faces charges under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016.
