Senator Rehman Malik sends legal notice to American blogger Cynthia Ritchie

PPP Senator Rehman Malik has sent a legal notice to American blogger Cynthia Ritchie.

The legal notice was sent through his lawyer, it emerged on Sunday,

Rehman Malik, through the notice, has demanded from Ritchie Rs500 million in damages, “prompt” withdrawal of the allegations “in the same manner in which it was released and posted on social, print and electronic media” within 15 days of receiving the notice, as well as an “unqualified apology”.

In the sent notice, Malik acknowledges that he met Ritchie in his office in the Ministry of Interior in the presence of Azam Swati’s daughter regarding a visa issue.

“Any other meeting regarding your visa with [Malik] is out of the question,” it says.

The notice referring to Ritchie’s tweet regarding Benazir Bhutto, says, “noticed all of a sudden you emerged on [the] social media scene and began a smearing campaign” against the late prime minister, adding that subsequent action was taken by PPP leaders.

In case of non-adherence, Malik will initiate civil and criminal proceedings against Ritchie, says the notice.

Read More : Rehman Malik strongly rejects allegations made by US blogger Cynthia Ritchie

Meanwhile, responding to the legal notice, Islamabad based American blogger Cynthia Ritchie says that will also initiate legal proceedings against Malik and is in talks with a legal team.

Earlier today, in a tweet she said, “this week will involve criminal proceedings, finally, against PPP, Rehman Malik, et alia. US Embassy in Islamabad has been informed, of course, and I anticipate meetings to follow through with these matters”.

Cynthia Ritchie, an American blogger residing in Pakistan has made explosive allegations against senior leaders of the Opposition Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) after she alleged former interior minister Rehman Malik of raping her at his official residence back in 2011.

The US blogger took to Facebook Live, claiming that the ex-interior minister raped her adding that two other senior PPP leaders also physically manhandled her.