Baloch Activist Gulzadi Baloch Sentenced to Life in Prison; Lawyers Question Court Proceedings
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A court in Quetta has sentenced Baloch rights activist Gulzadi Baloch to life imprisonment in a murder case, according to her lawyers. They allege that the verdict was issued without recording her statement or giving the defense an opportunity to present final arguments. The case has raised concerns over the fairness of proceedings and the treatment of activists in Balochistan.
Ms. Baloch, a member of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), was convicted by Additional Sessions Judge Syed Qadir Shah Bukhari in a case registered at Mach police station in October 2022. Her lawyers contend that she was “not the principal accused” and had no direct involvement in the killing for which she was convicted.
Advocate Israr Baloch, representing Gulzadi, stated that neither his client nor her legal team was present when the verdict was announced on Monday. He explained that when they arrived at the court, the judge was absent, and they were handed the court order by the court reader rather than being allowed to hear the judgment in person.
The defense team claims that Gulzadi’s statement under Section 342 of Pakistan’s Criminal Procedure Code was not recorded, and they were not permitted to make final arguments before the court delivered its sentence. They have indicated their intention to challenge the verdict through appellate processes.
This ruling follows allegations made by the BYC less than two weeks prior, accusing the same court of denying Gulzadi her right to a proper defense. The organization also claimed that the judge had repeatedly spoken of pressure from external sources in relation to the case.
The BYC issued a statement on September 10, asserting that the judge had expressed concerns about external pressure and hinted at the possibility of awarding harsher sentences, including death. The organization further alleged that a witness was cross-examined on September 7 despite the absence of Gulzadi’s defense lawyer.
Gulzadi is the third prominent BYC leader to be sentenced to life imprisonment in recent months. In June, an anti-terrorism court sentenced BYC chief organizer Dr. Mahrang Baloch and central leader Sibghatullah Shahji to life in prison for their alleged involvement in a protest-related incident in Gwadar during 2024.
The legal team representing Dr. Mahrang Baloch and Sibghatullah Shahji later boycotted those proceedings, describing the trial as a “faceless trial” with no transparency or fair opportunity for defense. They also called the verdict “unjust” and argued that it was based on insufficient evidence.
The Balochistan government officials defended the June convictions, stating that the defendants received a fair trial and that the verdict was supported by witness testimonies and medical evidence. The ongoing sentences of prominent activists highlight concerns over the judicial process and human rights conditions in the region.
