Pakistani Christian sentenced to death for blasphemy
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 27 March 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Pakistani Christian sentenced to death for blasphemy, 27 March 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/534d30be14.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
March 27, 2014
A Lahore court has convicted a Pakistani Christian of blasphemy and sentenced him to death in a case that sparked riots last year.
Nameem Shakir, the lawyer for Sawan Masih, said the judge announced the verdict on March 27 at a jail where the trial has been held due to fears that Masih would be attacked on his way to the courthouse.
A Muslim man accused Masih of saying bad things about the Prophet Muhammad in March last year.
Police arrested Masih but soon after a mob ransacked the neighborhood where Masih and other Christians live, torching homes and destroying household possessions.
Hundreds of Christian families fled the area but reportedly most have returned and rebuilt their houses.
Although blasphemy is punishable by death under Pakistani law the country has not yet executed anyone convicted of the crime.
Based on reporting by AP and ITAR-TASS
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
