Excessive punishment

THE supposed ‘crime’ did not justify a trial under terrorism laws, and certainly not the punishment. On Thursday, human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari-Hazir and her husband and fellow lawyer, Hadi Ali Chattha, were sentenced to 10 years each for moving a security barrier reportedly placed to protect a touring cricket team, as well as for “incitement to public unrest” during a face-off with police. The trial, held in jail, drew persistent criticism over an alleged lack of due process. The judge held that Ms Mazari-Hazir and Mr Chattha had attempted to “compromise the security arrangements [made…