Baloch activist’s detention extended by an anti-terrorism court

Balochistan – (Special Correspondent / Web Desk) -A special court in Quetta has ordered that activist Mahrang Baloch be held for fifteen more days. The police asked the court for this extension. Mahrang is a leader of a group called the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC).

Her lawyer, Israr Baloch, shared that the court agreed to the police’s request. Several other members of the group were also brought to the same court. Their time in police custody was extended as well.

The BYC is an advocacy group. Since 2018, they have been working to help people who have been forcibly taken away, an issue known as enforced disappearances.

Mahrang and others from her group were first arrested on March 22nd. The police accused them of attacking a hospital and encouraging violence. This happened just one day after their peaceful protest about missing persons was stopped by the police.

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Originally, she was held for 30 days under a public order law. This law lets officials detain people they believe might cause public unrest. In April, that detention was extended for another 30 days.

After being held for three months, the local government issued a fourth order in June. This added another 15 days to their imprisonment.

While being held, the police also filed serious new charges against them. These charges fall under anti-terrorism laws and other criminal codes.

Their time in custody has been extended many times by the courts. Last month, a court in Karachi also ordered her arrest in a separate case about rebellion.