Sixteen 'rioters' handed over to military for trial.

LAHORE -- At least 16 suspects, including a former lawmaker, have been handed over to the military for trial in cases relating to the attack on the Lahore corps commander's residence on May 9.

Their custody was granted by an anti-terrorism court (ATC) on Thursday after the military filed an application with the administrative judge seeking the custody under section 549 of the CrPC.

The section stated that if a person arrested by the police was subject to the Pakistan Army Act, 1952 and the offence of which they were accused of was liable for a court-martial, the custody of such person may be taken over by the commanding officer of such person.

The application, filed by Commanding Officer Irfan Athar with the ATC, stated that the suspects were 'found guilty of offences Under Sections 3, 7 and 9 of the Official Secrets Act, 1923 read with Section 2(1)(d) and 59(4) of Pakistan Army Act, 1952.'

It added that by committing the offences, the suspects under the law became subject to the Army Act and were liable to be inquired, investigated and tried by military authorities.

The 16 suspects have been named in two FIRs registered with the Sarwar Road police station on May 10.

The prosecution did not object as ATC Judge Abher Gul Khan accepted the request and directed the Lahore Camp Jail superintendent to hand over the...