Asia Bibi – Pakistan gives in to protesters
from Release International:
The Pakistan government has given in to protesters and is acting to prevent Asia Bibi from leaving the country.
The Christian woman, who has spent eight years on death row, was acquitted on Oct 31 of blasphemy charges in a Supreme Court ruling. The court threw out all charges, saying ‘the prosecution has categorically failed to prove its case.’
The ruling – welcomed by Release International and worldwide – sparked three days of protests that brought swathes of Pakistan to a standstill.
‘Devastating news’
‘The news that the government has given in to protesters will be devastating to Asia Bibi and her family today,’ says Paul Robinson, the CEO of Release International, which supports persecuted Christians around the world.
‘On Thursday, the Supreme Court declared Asia to be innocent – a free woman. Today, she is free in name only, as the protesters calling for the death of this innocent woman have forced a climbdown from the government. Please pray for Asia, her family and for the Christian minority in Pakistan who are in serious danger today.’
Radical Islamist protestors called for Asia and the judges to be killed and for the army to mutiny and overthrow the government. Protesters with posters declaring ‘Hang Asia,’ blockaded roads, declaring they would bring the country to a standstill.
They also demanded that the Supreme Court overturn its verdict.
Capitulation
Initially, the government confronted the protestors. On Friday they capitulated to them.
According to reports, the government is now acting to prevent Asia Bibi leaving the country. The intention is to pave the way for further legal action against Asia – who has already been declared innocent by the highest court in the land.
Read also: Blasphemy case lawyer flees Pakistan in fear of his life, BBC News
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