Four Christians accused of killing a Catholic priest were released on bail on September 25, according to an October 10 report from Compass Direct. The four Christians, Sharif Masih, Naimat Masih, Aslam Masih and Parveez Masih, along with a Muslim suspect Mohammed Afzel, were arrested on July 9 for the shooting death of Father George Ibrahim.
The police claim that Ibrahim was killed in a failed robbery attempt. When the men appeared before the court, however, they said that they had nothing to do with the attack but had "confessed" after being severely tortured by police. They reported that they had been subjected to beatings and electrical shocks. One of the men still cannot walk properly. No date has yet been set for the trial.
Father Ibrahim had received death threats for the past year from the former principal of a girls' school, Shahzina Sadique, whose husband is reported to be president of the local chapter of Anjum Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan, a banned terrorist organization. Sadique had denounced Ibrahim before a local court as an "enemy of Islam" who should be killed. Local Christians are firmly convinced that these four men are innocent and that the real killers are being protected.
Pray that the truth will prevail and that those responsible for this attack will be convicted. Pray for strength for these men as they face the upcoming trial.
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