Pakistan: 5 Christians cleared of blasphemy charges; 2 convicted
June 21, 2016
Five Pakistani Christians were acquitted of blasphemy charges, but two others were given 6-year prison sentences, by an anti-terrorism court on June 20.
The court case, brought under laws that ban the instigation of sectarian hatred, arose when a Protestant cleric printed a poster that used the term rasul, an Arabic word meaning "prophet," in reference to his father, the founder of a local Christian community. Muslim leaders objected, and the pastor was arrested, along with more than a dozen members of his church, and held without bail. Pastor Aftab Gill and one other man, Hajaj Bin Yousaf, were found guilty on the blasphemy charge.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
