After serving four and a half years in prison for alleged blasphemy against Islam, Pakistani Christian Aslam Masih was acquitted today by the Lahore High Court. Masih was arrested in November 1998 for allegedly giving a charm to Khadim Hussain, a Muslim, containing verses from the Quran to be hung around a dog's neck. In his appeal trial, however, the prosecution's main witness completely denied the statement attributed to him. He stated that the police had invented his testimony. The remaining evidence against Masih was second and third-hand testimony. According to a source cited by Compass Direct, Justice Najam ur-Zaman is reported to have taken "a very aggressive attitude against the prosecution" because of the flimsy circumstantial evidence.
This decision overturns a double life sentence given to Masih in May 2002 by a lower court. He will be released once this decision is passed on to the lower court. Security plans are being arranged to protect him once he is released, since those acquitted often face death threats.
Praise God for this decision. Pray for Masih's safety. Pray also for other Christians still facing life imprisonment or death sentences under Pakistan's blasphemy laws.
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