High Court upholds detention of former Housing Ministry Advisor arrested over sex video scandal

High Court has upheld a Criminal Court order to extend the detention period of former Project Advisor for Housing Ministry Ahmed Faiz, who was arrested for allegations of trying to sell a sex video involving Supreme Court Judge Ali Hameed.

Criminal Court’s order to extend Faiz’s detention by 15 days for a second time was appealed in High Court by Faiz himself.

Upholding the Criminal Court decision, High Court stated that Faiz’s detention period was extended based on allegations that he, along with a group of others, had tried to sell a sex video involving a senior government official and certain others, as a means to intimidate and blackmail.

Criminal Court had extend Faiz’s detention on the premise that investigations for the case that implicated him was ongoing and that further thorough investigation is required.

The court also referred to Article 49 of the constitution and ordered that Faiz remain in custody over fear that he might pose a threat to the society if released, as he had recently held a senior government post.

The High Court ruling stated that the police had submitted enough evidence to accuse Faiz of being in possession of pornography, also a criminal offence.

It also stated that they have received enough evidence to accuse Faiz of being in possession of the said sex videos and attempting to sell the videos to blackmail the people involved.

The High Court ruling also said that Faiz already has a number of criminal convictions, including a conviction for being in possession of pornography.

The court also said that police had stated that they need to clarify more details from Faiz and that the fact that others involved in the case have not been arrested, as per Faiz’s appeal argument, is not a reason to release Faiz from custody.