Pakistan's jailed lawyer Imaan Mazari remains defiant

An Islamabad court sentenced Imaan Mazari and her husband to 10 years in jail over social media posts, and Mazari told the court she will not back down.

Imaan Mazari, a prominent Pakistani human rights lawyer, was sentenced this weekend by an Islamabad court to 10 years in jail along with her husband over social media posts described in the ruling as "anti-state". The couple were arrested again the day before the sentencing while heading to a court hearing on the same charges. Mazari has built a public profile defending ethnic minorities, journalists and people accused of blasphemy, and her cases have drawn sustained attention. Known developments: - An Islamabad court handed Imaan Mazari and her husband Hadi Ali Chattha 10-year jail terms over social media posts described as "anti-state." - The couple were arrested the day before the sentencing while en route to a hearing on the charges. - Mazari told the court she and her husband "will not back down," and her work has included pro bono representation of ethnic minorities and journalists. Summary: Reportedly, the sentencing follows a pattern of legal actions and public accusations that critics say have coincided with tighter state control and reduced political and civil space. Undetermined at this time.