LONDON: The defamation trial between retired brigadier Rashid Naseer and a UK-based YouTuber opened on Monday at the Royal Courts of Justice.

The proceedings, scheduled to continue until July 24, centre on a series of allegations made by former army officer Adil Farooq Raja against the ex-intelligence officer, which Mr Naseer claims are defamatory and untrue.

Mr Raja, who runs a YouTube channel, is accused of making multiple defamatory statements on social media, including allegations of corruption, electoral interference, judicial manipulation, and human rights abuse, all of which Mr Naseer strongly denies.

Mr Naseer appeared in person in the court, whereas Mr Raja appeared via video link.

Testifying on the opening day of the four-day trial in London, Mr Naseer described the personal and professional impact of nearly a dozen online publications made by Mr Raja.

Among Mr Raja’s witnesses were former PTI leader and head of Assets Recovery Unit, Shehzad Akbar, who attended in person, and journalist Shaheen Sehbai and Syed Akbar Hussain, who joined online from the United States.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd, 2025