July 23, 2025 – London, UK
On the third day of the defamation trial at the Royal Courts of Justice (Case No. QB-2022-002648), Soldier Speaks founder Adil Raja, appearing via video link from a secure location in the UK, delivered a powerful defense against what we believe is a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (SLAPP) orchestrated by Pakistan’s military establishment through Brigadier (Retd) Rashid Naseer. Day 3 saw Adil Raja confidently challenge the claimant’s baseless allegations, reinforcing our mission to expose truth and defend press freedom.
Key Highlights from Day 3: Adil Raja Takes the Stand
Adil Raja faced intense cross-examination by Naseer’s counsel, David Lemer, and questioning from Deputy High Court Judge Richard Spearman KC about the nine publications at the heart of this case. These posts, made in June 2022, accused Naseer of corruption, electoral interference, judicial manipulation, and human rights abuses—claims Naseer denies. Adil stood firm, asserting that his publications were in the public interest, based on credible, high-ranking sources within Pakistan’s government and intelligence services. He told the court, “I cross-checked everything before publishing,” emphasizing his due diligence as a journalist.
When pressed by Lemer about the lack of documentary evidence, Adil explained that his sources, both in Pakistan and the UK, are protected through layers of confidentiality to ensure their safety. He admitted not contacting Naseer directly before publishing, citing Naseer’s unapproachability, but noted he sought responses from the ISPR, which went unanswered. Adil refuted Lemer’s suggestions that his claims were exaggerated or lacked credibility, stating, “What I reported is based on ground realities.” He also referenced reports by credible journalists, like Geo’s Murtaza Ali Shah, to support his position, highlighting their reliability in documenting similar issues.
The judge reiterated that the trial focuses on the individual defamation case, not Pakistan’s broader political or military context, urging Adil to address specific allegations against Naseer. Despite this, Adil effectively countered Lemer’s attempts to undermine his sources, maintaining that his work serves the public interest by exposing systemic abuses. Supporters on X praised Adil’s resilience, with one noting, “Adil Raja’s fight in London is a stand against the ISI’s lawfare to silence truth-tellers.”
Challenging Naseer’s Narrative
Naseer’s counsel claimed Adil’s allegations, including links to the Arshad Sharif murder and an attempted assassination of Imran Khan, lacked evidence. Adil clarified that he relied on verified intelligence from senior sources, not official reports, and stood by his claims despite Lemer’s assertions that no direct ISI link was proven. Adil’s testimony exposed the weakness in Naseer’s case, as the claimant has provided no substantive evidence to counter our allegations beyond personal denials. The court also heard that Adil withdrew a truth defense, focusing solely on public interest, a strategic move to emphasize the broader significance of his journalism.
A SLAPP to Silence Soldier Speaks
Backed by the National Union of Journalists’ London Freelance Branch, we view this lawsuit as a clear attempt by Pakistan’s military to muzzle Soldier Speaks. Adil’s testimony underscored the dangers faced by whistleblowers, with his family under threat and witnesses like Shahzad Akbar facing attacks in the UK. The trial, set to conclude on July 24, is a test of our resolve to hold the powerful accountable.
Stay United in the Fight for Truth
Adil Raja’s performance on Day 3 showed the strength of Soldier Speaks’ mission. As we head into the final day, we remain confident that our evidence and public support will expose this SLAPP for what it is. Follow updates on SoldierSpeaks.org, YouTube, and X. Your solidarity fuels our fight for justice and press freedom.
#SoldierSpeaks #PressFreedom #TruthWillPrevail
Muhammad Nasir Siddiqui has explain the 2nd day event in best way particulalry regarding discussion of Shaheed Journalist Arshad Shareef. You can read it here: (English Version) (Read Urdu Translation)
