April 2025: Paul Chambers, American academic charged by Third Army Region for violating Section 112; Criminal Court issues bans on reporting

“Most notably, over the past month, the Criminal Court has begun issuing formal orders in individual case dockets—particularly in Section 112 cases and those involving political expression that have drawn public attention—prohibiting anyone from reporting or disseminating details of courtroom proceedings or any events within the Criminal Court without prior authorization. These publication bans have been issued in at least four cases, with the wording of the orders being identical in every instance, despite being issued by different judicial panels. This pattern suggests that the orders may not reflect the individual discretion of each judge, but rather stem from a broader administrative directive. Such a practice raises concerns about potential conflicts with the principle of judicial independence, as well as the right to a fair trial—one that is conducted openly, transparently, and subject to public scrutiny.”