At least 20 suspects of the May 9 riots held in military custody have been released, the attorney general for Pakistan informed the Supreme Court on Monday.

Attorney General for Pakistan Mansoor Usman Awan submitted a written response to the apex court. According to the report, eight people from Rawalpindi were sentenced to one year of imprisonment each.

Several protesters vandalised state buildings and military installations on May 9 and 10 following former prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest in a graft case.

The government launched a crackdown on protesters, arresting many suspects for their alleged involvement in such activities. Some of them were tried under the military courts.

Three from Lahore and five from Gujranwala were also sentenced to one year of imprisonment each. One from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Mardan and three from Dir are also among the suspects released by the court.

All of them were released on April 6 and April 7, the report said and added that none of the convicts completed their sentence. “The army chief gave

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Last month, the Supreme Court modified its December 13 injunction by allowing military authorities to release 15 to 20 people, accused of being involved in the May 9 violence, before Eidul Fitr.

A five-judge SC bench directed AGP Mansoor Usman Awan to furnish a list of individuals who would be released before Eid. The list should also identify those who have been awarded lesser punishment, or convicted for up to three years.

The AGP informed the apex court that as per instructions, 15 to 20 persons who fall within the first category could be released before Eid, falling on April 9 or 10. Any decision to release such individuals would be subject to the confirmation of sentence by higher authorities ie the chief of the army staff, he had added.