Adil Raja
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Adil Farooq Raja | |
|---|---|
| Native name | عادل راجہ |
| Born | 1978 (age 45–46) Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan |
| Allegiance |  Pakistan |
 Pakistan Army | |
| Years of service | 1999-2017 |
| Rank |  Major |
| Unit | 18 Horse Regiment |
| Commands held | Wing Commander Khyber Rifles |
| Relations | Umar Farooq Raja (father) |
| Other work | Journalist, geopolitical commentator, businessman and whistleblower |
| Website | soldierspeaks |
Adil Farooq Raja (born 1978) is a Pakistani vlogger and former officer of the Pakistan Army.[1][2]
Early life and education[edit]
Raja was born in 1978 in Nowshera to Major (R) Umar Farooq Raja.[1][3]
In 1996, he enrolled in the Pakistan Military Academy and passed out from the 99th PMA Long Course in August, 1999.[1] Later, he pursued his master's degree in International Relations at the University of Peshawar.[4][1]
Transition to civilian life and journalism[edit]
Following his military career, Raja transitioned into entrepreneurship and established a land acquisition company that engaged in partnerships with prominent real estate organizations, including the Defence Housing Authority (DHA).[1][5]
Forced exile and persecution[edit]
In April 2022, during the 2022 Pakistani constitutional crisis, Adil Raja encountered scrutiny for his public statements regarding the military, evidenced by a raid on his house. Therefore, he made the decision to leave Pakistan and continue his efforts from the United Kingdom where his family resided.[6][7]
Assets Seized[edit]
In April 2023, legal cases were filed against Raja, resulting in the confiscation of his assets in Pakistan and the freezing of his bank accounts.[8][9][10]
Detained in the UK[edit]
In June 2023, Raja was taken into custody under the United Kingdom’s “Section 59 of the Terrorism Act 2000" by detectives of Counter-Terrorism Policing South East (CTPSE) from his home for reportedly inciting someone to engage in terrorist activities, whether entirely or partially outside the United Kingdom.[11][12][13] However, he was released a few hours later by the British police after being questioned and granted bail.[14][15][16][17][18]
Court Martial[edit]
Adil Raja faced a development on November 25, 2023, as he was court-martialed through Field General Court Martial (FGCM) under the Pakistan Army Act, 1952.[19][20][21] According to ISPR reports, he received a 14-year 'rigorous imprisonment' sentence in Pakistan for violation of the regulations outlined in the Official Secrets Act of 1923 pertaining to espionage and acts prejudicial to the safety and interest of the state.[21][22][23][2][24]
Terrorism Case Dropped[edit]
After an eight-month-long investigation, the British Counter-Terrorism Police dropped the terrorism case against Adil Raja in March 2024 due to insufficient evidence of his involvement in terrorist activities. No-Further-Action will take place in this case.[25][26][27][28] Raja was initially arrested in June 2023 under Section 59 of the Terrorism Act 2000 but was released on bail at that time.[14][18][29] As per a press release from Adil Raja's solicitors, Raja fully cooperated with the investigation, asserting his innocence and denying the allegations during interviews. He granted access to his devices, which were independently reviewed using protocols akin to those for journalists. Additionally, the Police scrutinized his YouTube broadcasts, paying specific attention to his language and the context in which it was used.[29][30]
Current Situation[edit]
He currently resides in London where he continues to create content for his online audience.[14][31]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Profile: Who is Adil Farooq Raja?". Daily Pakistan Global. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Pakistan Army court-martials two former officers for 'inciting sedition,' hands prison terms". Arab News. 2023-11-25. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ↑ "Pakistan court issues non-bailable arrest warrants for ex-army officer Adil Raja". Daily Times. 18 April 2023. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ↑ Mishra, Abhinandan (13 May 2023). "GHQ-ISI funding Khalistanis against India: Pak Army officer". Sunday Guardian. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ↑ Desk, Monitoring (2023-01-04). "Senior army officer sues Raja for defamation in UK". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2024-06-18.
- ↑ "'Missing' retired army officer reaches family in London". The Express Tribune. 2022-04-21. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ↑ Dawn.com (2022-04-21). "'Missing' ex-army officer reaches London 'safely', says will break silence 'in time'". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ↑ Asad, Malik (2023-04-19). "Rawalpindi court moved to seize former army man's properties". DAWN.COM. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ↑ "Police request Rawalpindi court for attachment of Adil Raja's properties". Dunya News. 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ↑ "Rawalpindi police move court for auction of absconder Adil Raja's assets". Daily Pakistan Global. 2023-12-09. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
- ↑ "'Adil Raja arrested by UK counter-terrorism police for overseas offences'". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ↑ "UK police arrest Pakistani social media activist Adil Raja". The Tribune (Indian Newspaper). 2023-06-14. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
- ↑ "YouTuber Adil Raja held in UK for terrorism charges". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 "Adil Raja 'arrested' in London; Sabir, Moeed booked for sedition". The Express Tribune. 2023-06-14. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
- ↑ "Youtuber Major (r) Adil Raja released after detained by British police". Daily Pakistan Global. 2023-06-14. Retrieved 2023-10-15.
- ↑ "Adil Raja released on bail after being questioned by UK police". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ↑ "Adil Raja Released After 'Brief Detention' By UK Police". The Friday Times. 2023-06-14. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 "YouTuber Adil Raja released after brief arrest in England". Dunya News. 2023-06-15. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ↑ "Ex-army officers convicted for inciting mutiny". The Express Tribune. 2023-11-25. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ↑ "Pakistan Army court-martials two former officers for 'inciting sedition,' hands prison terms". Arab News. 2023-11-25. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 "Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan". ispr.gov.pk. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
- ↑ "Army Court Martials Adil Raja, Capt Haider Mehdi For Espionage, Sedition". The Friday Times. 2023-11-25. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ↑ PTI. "Pakistan military court sentences two former army officers for espionage". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ↑ Desk, BR Web (2023-11-25). "Ex-army officers sentenced for charges of inciting sedition". Brecorder. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ↑ "British police drop terrorism case against Adil Raja citing lack of evidence". The Nation. 2024-03-15. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ↑ "British police drop terrorism case against Adil Raja citing lack of evidence". Dunya News. 2024-03-15. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ↑ "UK quashes terror probing against Pakistani social media activist". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ↑ "UK ends terror probe into Adil Raja due to 'lack of evidence' – The Pakistan Daily". thepakistandaily.com. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 "ADIL RAJA: PRESS RELEASE". ABV Solicitors. 2024-03-14. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ↑ "UK ends terrorism investigation against Adil Raja due to 'lack of evidence'". www.geo.tv. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ↑ "Metropolitan Police letter to Pakistani retired major is fake". Reuters. 2023-03-21.
External links[edit]
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