Pak top court acquits woman on death row
Islamabad, Oct. 31: Pakistan's Supreme Court in a landmark verdict on Wednesday overturned the conviction of a Christian woman facing execution for blasphemy, sparking protests in the Islamic nation.
Asia Bibi, a 47-year-old mother of four, was convicted in 2010 after being accused of insulting Islam in a row with her neighbours. She always maintained her innocence, but has spent most of the past eight years in solitary confinement. Her case has been deeply divisive in Pakistan where there is strong support for the controversial blasphemy laws.
The blasphemy laws were promulgated by former military dictator Ziaul Haq in 1980s. A person convicted under these laws is given death sentence. The apex court, in a threemember bench led by chief justice Saqib Nisar, issued the verdict on Wednesday morning, three weeks after they had reached a decision. The delay followed threats by blasphemy campaigners to hold protests.
“Keeping in mind the evidence produced by the prosecution against the alleged blasphemy committed by the appellant, the prosecution has categorically failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt,” Nisar said.
He said Bibi could walk free from jail in Sheikupura, near Lahore, immediately if not wanted in connection with any other case. “Her conviction is set aside and she is to be relieved forthwith if not required in other charges,” said Nisar, reading out the judgment.
“Tolerance is the basic principle of Islam,” the top judge read out, noting that the religion condemns injustice and oppression. There was tight security in the capital, Islamabad. Protests broke in Pakistan following the verdict.
Protestors blocked a highway linking the capital, Islamabad with garrison city of Rawalpindi and the old airport, Islamabad police said.
The Red Zone in the capital Islamabad, where the Supreme Court is located, has been sealed off by police, and paramilitary forces have been deployed to keep protesters away from the court.