After church bombings, lynchings, Pakistani police arrest 200 Christians
March 24, 2015
Police in Pakistan have arrested 200 Christians in connection with the lynchings that took place after the bombing of two churches in Lahore.
Following the arrests in the heavily Christian Youhanabad district, police declined to explain how they selected the people who were taken into custody. Local Christians have protested that the arrested seemed to be made at random.
“We are not opposed to the arrest of those who have done something wrong, but the arrest of innocent people is unacceptable,” said a spokesman for the Lahore archdiocese. Some Christians were reportedly leaving the area, fearful of more arrests.
Two Muslims were lynched by angry mobs on March 15, after bombings at two Lahore churches left 17 people dead. While condemning the lynchings, Church leaders have also complained about the slow police response to the bombings and the failure to provide security for the Christian minority.
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Further information:
- Attacks in Lahore, police arrest 200 Christians (AsiaNews)
- 2 church bombings in Pakistan; Pope, bishops lament persecution of Christians (CWN, 3/16)
- Pakistan’s Christians mourn bombing victims; official denounces lynching of Muslims (CWN, 3/18)
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