India

Region: South Asia

Number of Trials: 3

Rana Ayyub

Aasif Sultan

Journalists/Farmers’ Protest

TrialWatch is monitoring the crackdown on independent journalism in India, including against those who have criticized the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the use of draconian laws such as sedition and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

An Indian journalist and Washington Post Global Opinions writer who is known for her investigative reporting critical of Prime Minister Modi and his government is facing charges of fraud and money laundering for alleged misuse of funds she received for COVID relief. The case, which is being monitored by CFJ’s partner the Columbia Law School Human Rights Institute, was prompted by a complaint from an individual affiliated with India’s ruling party. For one of the fraud charges alone, Ms. Ayyub faces up to seven years in prison.

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An award-winning Kashmiri journalist is facing charges that could carry the death penalty based on allegations of supporting a terrorist group. He has spent years in detention already and press and human rights organizations have said they believe the charges actually stem from Sultan’s coverage of a Kashmiri militant killed by Indian security forces, whose killing set off anti-government demonstrations in Kashmir in July 2016.

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A group of journalists and a politician face sedition charges for reporting and sharing media posts on the death of a farmer during the Delhi farmers’ protests.