Arshad Sharif
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A Kenyan court has ruled that the fatal shooting of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif by police in Nairobi in 2022 was unlawful and unconstitutional.
This ruling brings renewed attention to a case that has significant implications for press freedom, police accountability, and the pursuit of justice. Arshad Sharif, a well-known TV anchor, had gained prominence for his vocal criticism of Pakistan's military leadership and political corruption. Concerns for his safety led Sharif to flee Pakistan earlier in the year after reporting death threats to the country's top judge. Tragically, his life was cut short just two months after arriving in Kenya when he was shot dead by police at a roadblock in Kajiado.
The circumstances surrounding Sharif's death have been mired in controversy. Initially, Kenyan police claimed it was a case of mistaken identity, suggesting that officers had confused Sharif's vehicle with one reported stolen. However, conflicting accounts emerged, with one version alleging that police opened fire after a passenger in the car shot at them. Sharif's family rejected these explanations, accusing an elite Kenyan police unit of deliberately targeting and killing him.
Adding weight to their claims, a panel of Pakistani investigators later described the incident as a "planned assassination," suggesting the possibility that the fatal shot was fired from inside the car or at close range. Justice Stella Mutuku of the Kajiado High Court today delivered a verdict that validates the family's concerns. The court has ruled that Kenyan authorities had acted unlawfully and violated Sharif's right to life. As part of the judgment, the government is ordered to compensate Sharif's family with 10 million Kenyan shillings (approximately $78,000).
The judge has also criticized Kenya's director of public prosecutions and the independent policing oversight authority for failing to prosecute the two police officers involved in the shooting. The court demands that investigations be concluded and charges filed against the officers. Javeria Siddique, Sharif's widow and a fellow journalist, expresses gratitude for the court's decision while emphasizing that her quest for justice is ongoing. She continues to advocate for transparency and accountability, seeking support from international organizations such as the United Nations and the Committee to Protect Journalists.