World | Pakistan
Police rearrest top lawyer freed for Eid holidays
Police on Friday rearrested a prominent opposition lawyer, who had been released the previous day from custody for three days for the Eid Al Adha holidays, even as they prevented a deposed top judge from joining lawyers for a prayer congregation.
- By Shahid Hussain, Correspondent
- Published: 00:23 December 22, 2007
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Islamabad :Police on Friday rearrested a prominent opposition lawyer, who had been released the previous day from custody for three days for the Eid Al Adha holidays, even as they prevented a deposed top judge from joining lawyers for a prayer congregation.
Aitzaz Ahsan, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association and a strident anti-Musharraf campaigner, was picked up despite promises he would be allowed to remain free for the Eid Al Adha holidays, his son said.
Chaudhry was stopped on Friday from going to Faisal Mosque from his residence in Islamabad to join Eid congregation, witnesses said.
Ahsan was picked up before dawn as he travelled on the road from the eastern city of Lahore to the capital, Islamabad, his son Ali Aitzaz said.
"He has been put under house arrest again," he said from the family home in Lahore. The lawyer, who was put under house arrest since the state of emergency was imposed, was freed early on Thursday for three days to celebrate the Eid.
He spent Thursday visiting judges and meeting with supporters and journalists in Lahore before heading to Islamabad early Friday to offer holiday prayers with Chaudhry, who is also under house arrest, his family said.
Police stopped his sports utility vehicle on the road as he headed to the capital, Ali Aitzaz said. He was taken to a police station before driving him to his home in Lahore, he said.
Police barricading Chaudhry's residence turned back scores of lawyers and civil society members who wanted to enter the judiciary enclave to take Chaudhry to the mosque in a convoy.
Before dispersing, the protestors offered Eid prayers in the open.
"This is shameful," said Athar Minallah, a senior Supreme Court lawyer and a protest organiser.
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