Pak blasphemy case: Husband appeals to US, UK for refuge

The husband of a Christian woman acquitted eight years after being sentenced to death for blasphemy, but not released after countrywide protests, appealed on Sunday to US President Donald Trump and British Prime Minister Theresa May to help the family leave Pakistan.

Asia Bibi’s husband, Ashiq Masih, in a brief video message said they were in danger in Pakistan.

“Please help us, we are in trouble in Pakistan,” he appealed to Trump and May.

Masih had previously told The Associated Press by phone that he and his wife feared for their lives. “We are now living under an increased sense of fear.”

Bibi’ lawyer Saiful Malook has already fled the country for safety.

Earlier in the day, police said over 150 people were arrested on charges of arson, vandalism and violence during the protests against the woman’s acquittal. Senior police officer Nayab Haider said that police were using video clips to identify those involved in assaults, torching property and vehicles, and blocking highways.

Defending the police’s actions, information minister Fawad Chaudhry said the government cannot spare those involved in violence. He said that the government cleared blocked cities without any bloodshed.

“No government can tolerate a rebellion against the state,” Chaudhry said. Human rights Minister Shireen Mazari tweeted that “appeasement to ‘avoid bloodshed’ sends a dangerous message to non-state actors and undermines the concept of democratic peaceful protest.”

The government reached a deal on Friday to end the protests by agreeing to a travel ban preventing Bibi from leaving the country, and saying it would not object to hardliners appealing the verdict.