Official: Pakistani Christian woman falsely accused of blasphemy

[Turborama]

Source: CNN International

From Reza Sayah, CNN
November 22, 2010 -- Updated 2142 GMT (0542 HKT)

Islamabad, Pakistan -- A preliminary investigation shows that a Pakistani Christian woman has been falsely accused of insulting the Prophet Mohammed, a government official said Monday.

"The president asked me to investigate her case and my preliminary findings show she is innocent and the charges against her are baseless," Pakistani Minister for Minority Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti told CNN.

Asia Bibi, who has been jailed for nearly 15 months, was convicted in a Pakistani court earlier this month of breaking the country's controversial blasphemy law, a crime punishable with death or life imprisonment, according to Pakistan's penal code. She was sentenced to death.

Bibi filed a petition for mercy Saturday, and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari asked Bhatti to investigate the case, Bhatti said.

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/11/22/pakistan.christian.investigation/index.html?hpt=T2

[McCamy Taylor]

1. Pakistan gets a ton of aid from the US. Executing this woman would inspire our

new Congress to cut it all off.

[Turborama]

3. It would have to pass through the senate, though

What do you think would happen to it there?

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

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[Bragi]

4. The situation seems unclear at this point

I note the following:

Blasphemy woman's family in hiding ahead of possible Presidential pardon - Release International

UK: November 23, 2010, (PCTV Newsdesk)

The family of Asia Bibi has gone into hiding ahead of reports of her imminent pardon for the death sentence for blasphemy in Pakistan.

Partners of Release International say there has been an angry reaction from Muslim militants following media coverage of a possible presidential stay of execution. Fearing a violent backlash Asia’s family has moved to a place of safety...

While the President may decide to grant a stay of execution, it is still not clear whether the blasphemy charges will be dropped. Unless the charges are waived, Asia could remain behind bars for years.

Whatever the outcome, Asia’s life is still at risk. Following media reports of her pardon, her accusers have given warning that they will take the law into their own hands. Muslims in her village in Ittanwali District, Nankana, insist that Asia is guilty. They say if the courts will not carry out the death sentence, they will kill her themselves.

http://pakistanchristian.tv/news/2010-11-23_Blasphemy_womans_family_in_hiding_ahead_of_possible_Presidential_pardon__Re.cfm

[Turborama]

5. She should seek asylum in the nearest country that'll take her. n/t

[Bragi]

6. Yes, if she can actually get out of Pakistan

There are still significant unknowns. We haven't actually heard from the (Pak) President yet on this, we don't know if she is actually going to be released, and if she is released, we don't know if she'll be able to make out of the country without getting killed by a mob.

I'm glad people are watching this case closely.