Aasif Sultan, who works as an Assistant Editor at ‘Kashmir Narrator’, was picked up from his residence and detained by Jammu and Kashmir police on the night of 27 August 2018. (1/n) #FreeAasifSultan

He was formally arrested on 1 September 2018 for his alleged involvement in an incident of gunfire between government forces and ‘militants’ in Batamaloo area of Srinagar on 12 August 2018. (2/n) #FreeAasifSultan

In its submissions before the court, the police said that through his writings, Aasif would “often give coverage to Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists, especially #burhanwani, to attract youth towards terrorist organisations, especially Hizbul Mujahideen.” (3/n) #FreeAasifSultan

The police then booked Aasif with offences under the Ranbir Penal Code and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), including relating to conspiracy, harbouring a ‘terrorist’ and ‘support given to a terrorist organisation’. (4/n) #FreeAasifSultan

Showkat Motta, Editor-in-Chief of ‘Kashmir Narrator’, has dismissed the allegations made by the police. This is the magazine where Aasif Sultan worked. Do note that the Twitter account of the magazine was suspended at the request of the Indian State. (5/n) #FreeAasifSultan

This is purely harassment by the police and an attack on the rights of a journalist. Aasif has been targeted for his journalistic work and honest reporting. In the July 2018 edition of the magazine, he wrote an article titled ‘The Rise of Burhan’. (6/n) #FreeAasifSultan

Police took note of the article. The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) emailed his employer a list of questions about the article and asked them to respond within two days. The email also had a list of words that police considered ‘objectionable'. (7/n) #FreeAasifSultan

The police continued to question Aasif for his work on conflict-related issues. He was also tortured by the police to reveal his sources and his political ideology was questioned. (8/n) #FreeAasifSultan

The only explanation for using a draconian law like the UAPA against a media person is that India wants to stifle journalism in Kashmir - something that has been going on for decades now. (9/n) #FreeAasifSultan

Aasif's family was kept in the dark about the charges against him and his old father has been continuously lied to and harassed by the police officials whenever he has demanded any information on his son. (10/n) #FreeAasifSultan

Not only has it been an illegal, unlawful detention (where in the words "legal" and "law" are purely Indian imposition on Kashmir as a part of its occupational project); the police has not been able to substantiate any accusations against him. (11/n) #FreeAasifSultan

The J&K Police has failed to turn up for several court hearings as well as has not yet furnished any credible evidence that proves Aasif Sultan's crime. This is a clear mockery India has made of its own legal system to torture a Kashmiri journalist. (12/n) #FreeAasifSultan

This is the T-shirt that Aasif Sultan wore for his first court appearance. The police not only took his shirt away and tore it apart, but also beat him up. What name can one give to this desperate act of cowardice? (13/n) #FreeAasifSultan

There were numerous bail applications filed by his family and employer - all were rejected. Despite his one-month remand (an excuse told to the worried family first) coming to an end, it was forcefully extended by the authorities. (14/n) #FreeAasifSultan

The entire media fraternity rose in solidarity with their colleague and international solidarity began pouring in from the world. Many, including @CPJAsia @RSF_inter @AIIndia released statements demanding his release. But India rejected them all. (15/n) #FreeAasifSultan

Important to note that Aasif Sultan was picked up in a night raid - something that is happening in Kashmir right now, where men and young children are being picked up by the Indian occupying forces. Their parents will never know if they will be back. (16/n) #FreeAasifSultan

From the 2016 ban on #KashmirReader to the arrest of #KamranYousuf in 2017, from regular censorship of Kashmiri newspapers and magazines to routine harassment of journalists & photojournalists, the pattern is clear... (17/n) #FreeAasifSultan

...the Indian state wants to muzzle the local testimonies, and rather plant puppet journalists from New Delhi to spread lies and state propaganda. They trade "normalcy" and "happiness" narratives for the blood and voice of Kashmiris. (18/n) #FreeAasifSultan

When internet & mobile phone services are snapped and when curfews impose sinister silence, it is the local journalists & photojournalists whose courage and commitment brings the truth out. That's why they are maimed/ jailed/ tortured/ censored/ silenced. (19/n) #FreeAasifSultan

Aasif Sultan was being further harassed and pressurized to turn into an informer for the police. Any questions to the police officials for violating a man's fundamental rights by a prolonged illegal detention? His health continues to deteriorate. (20/n) #FreeAasifSultan

As we all demand his release and end to the Indian occupation in Kashmir, we need not ask what crime did Aasif Sultan commit, rather who decides what is criminal & what is not, who decides legal & illegal, and who is punished & who is not. Shame on India! (n/n) #FreeAasifSultan