Pakistani appeals court lifts death sentence against Christian in blasphemy case
January 30, 2013
A Pakistani Christian has been acquitted by an appeals court, after having been sentenced to death on blasphemy charges.
Rimsha Masih, who had spent 18 months in prison, was freed when an appeals-court judge found insufficient evidence to support the blasphemy charge. Masih’s defenders argued that the charges were fabricated by Muslim neighbors who resented Masih’s role in a property dispute.
The acquittal raises hopes for the future of another Pakistani Christian who faces a death sentence on blasphemy charges: Asia Bibi, the young mother of 5 children, whose supporters insisted that the charges against her are similarly contrived.
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Posted by: R. Spanier (Catholic Canadian) -
Jul. 01, 2013 2:12 PM ET USA
Rimsha Masih and her family are now living in Canada. "... Bhatti said the girl and her family have been granted special permission by the federal government to live in Canada and that they are all relieved and happy." http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2013/06/29/pakistan-blasphemy-girl-in-canada.html God bless Canada!
