India: Anti-citizenship protester released on bail

ANKARA

An Indian court on Tuesday granted bail to Safoora Zargar, an anti-citizenship law protester whose arrest made headlines worldwide.

Her bail plea was heard by the Delhi High Court in India’s capital, and the police said they had no objection to her release “on humanitarian grounds”, Press Trust of India reported.

Zargar is a student at Jamia Millia Islamia and is pregnant. She was in jail since April 10. Several rights groups across the world, including Amnesty International, expressed concern over her arrest and urged for immediate release.

She has been booked under the controversial Unlawful Activities Preventions Act. The charges under this act are slapped for terror-related activities in India.

Zargar, a native of the disputed Jammu and Kashmir region, was charged in a case related to Delhi riots last February, leaving 53 people dead.

The riots occurred when masses in the country were protesting against the controversial citizenship law implemented by the central government.

The hearing was held through video-conferencing and Justice Rajiv Shakdher released 23-week pregnant activist, adding: “... she [Safoora Zargar] shall not indulge in any activity for which she has been charged with and shall not hamper the investigation or influence the witnesses.”