Judge Rejects Police Claims, Holding State Bodies for Arshad Sharif State Murder
A Kenyan judge determined that authorities tortured acclaimed Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif before murdering him in 2022. This decision, documented by Drop Site News, firmly rejects the inconsistent explanations provided by the Kenyan police. The court’s ruling emphasizes that Arshad Sharif State Murder was a blatant violation of his human rights.
Sharif, who fled Pakistan to escape persecution from the military, was killed by Kenyan police while in exile. Despite conflicting police accounts, the court found no evidence of gunfire from Sharif’s car towards officers.. This critical discrepancy undermined the police’s explanation provided to the Pakistani Fact Finding Team (FFT).
Javeria Siddique pursued the case, resulting in a judgment holding Pakistani and Kenyan state bodies accountable, after Arshad Sharif sought refuge from threats in UAE and Kenya.
His death, less than three months after leaving Pakistan, sent shockwaves through the international journalism community. The Kenyan Judge S.N. Mutuku’s ruling on July 8 highlighted the lack of independent and effective investigation by the police, condemning their failure to act on recommendations from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
The judgment also affirmed that the Kenyan government violated Sharif’s rights, compelling action against the perpetrators. The court’s decision has intensified scrutiny on both governments and reignited demands for justice.
Sharif’s investigations often targeted influential figures, including Shehbaz Sharif, the prime minister ‘installed’ after Imran Khan. His murder raised serious concerns about the safety of exiled dissidents. The court’s decision supports the assertion that the Pakistani military, in collusion with Kenyan forces, orchestrated his assassination.
This ruling offers a glimmer of hope for Sharif’s supporters, though Siddique remains fearful for her safety. The court’s verdict, dismissing the mistaken identity defense, agrees with the FFT’s findings that uncovered major discrepancies in the police account.
The court’s recognition of Sharif’s death as a targeted assassination intensifies calls for accountability and deeper investigations in Kenya and Pakistan.
