Sohrab Barkat, an Islamabad-based correspondent for the Pakistani news outlet Siasat and the host of his own YouTube channel, was detained at Islamabad International Airport on November 26 on his way to attend a United Nations conference.
The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) registered a complaint against Barkat on August 5, alleging he had made “derogatory remarks” and spread misinformation about state institutions.
Two additional complaints related to his reporting, dated August 26 and December 5, have been filed against Barkat by the NCCIA, according to a family member who spoke with CPJ on condition of anonymity fearing retaliation. Courts in Lahore and Islamabad have issued at least five remand orders placing Barkat in NCCIA custody and denying him bail while police investigate his case, the family member said.
Barkat and his lawyers have faced repeated non-hearings, where procedural matters occur without parties appearing in court, and the journalist has been subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment while in custody, according to the family.
Pakistan’s Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar did not respond to a text message from CPJ seeking comment.