ELDERLY CHRISTIAN GIVEN DOUBLE LIFE-SENTENCE
Despite only hearsay evidence, an elderly Christian named Aslam Masih was
convicted of alleged blasphemy on May 7. Faisalabad Additional Sessions
Court Judge Mian Safdar Saleem ordered the defendant to serve double
life-sentences in prison, along with paying a fine of 100,000 rupees
($1,660).
Illiterate and in his 70s, Aslam Masih was accused in November 1998 of
preparing a charm with verses from the Quran to hang around a dog's neck.
The defendant, who was badly beaten and never given proper medical
treatment, has been jailed without bail ever since.
The prosecution's star witness denied before Judge Saleem's court that he
had even been present at the incident or lodged any complaint against the
elderly Christian. "He accused the police of making up his statement," the
"Daily Times" reported on May 9. His defense lawyers had also argued that
it violated criminal procedure codes for the sessions court to hear this
particular case, since it had not been registered by either provincial or
federal government representatives.
The high court appeal for Aslam Masih, who reportedly is "very weak
physically, and shaking all the time," is expected by his lawyers to take
at least two more years.
Currently two Christians are on Pakistan's death row on blasphemy charges,
with five more appealing life sentences and an additional three still under
trial, awaiting their verdicts.
Despite only hearsay evidence, an elderly Christian named Aslam Masih was
convicted of alleged blasphemy on May 7. Faisalabad Additional Sessions
Court Judge Mian Safdar Saleem ordered the defendant to serve double
life-sentences in prison, along with paying a fine of 100,000 rupees
($1,660).
Illiterate and in his 70s, Aslam Masih was accused in November 1998 of
preparing a charm with verses from the Quran to hang around a dog's neck.
The defendant, who was badly beaten and never given proper medical
treatment, has been jailed without bail ever since.
The prosecution's star witness denied before Judge Saleem's court that he
had even been present at the incident or lodged any complaint against the
elderly Christian. "He accused the police of making up his statement," the
"Daily Times" reported on May 9. His defense lawyers had also argued that
it violated criminal procedure codes for the sessions court to hear this
particular case, since it had not been registered by either provincial or
federal government representatives.
The high court appeal for Aslam Masih, who reportedly is "very weak
physically, and shaking all the time," is expected by his lawyers to take
at least two more years.
Currently two Christians are on Pakistan's death row on blasphemy charges,
with five more appealing life sentences and an additional three still under
trial, awaiting their verdicts.
