Asia Bibi’s lawyer wants Dutch asylum

MALOOK MAKES U-TURN A DAY AFTER SAYING HE WAS PUT ON PLANE AGAINST HIS WILL

APakistani lawyer of a Christian woman convicted of blasphemy has said he wanted to remain on Dutch soil, hinting he would seek political asylum, on Tuesday.

His statement came just a day after he claimed he was forced to leave for the Netherlands by the UN and EU. Saif-ul-Malook fled Pakistan after violent protests erupted over the country’s Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the conviction of Asia Bibi, who was on death row.

At a news conference in The Hague on Monday, the lawyer said he was put on a plane against his wishes even though he had refused to leave the country without ensuring that his client was out of prison.

But in an about-turn a day later, he said: “If the Netherlands as a country which defends human rights, does not help me or shelter me, I would prefer to return to Pakistan to be assassinated.” A Dutch Foreign Ministry spokesman told AFP it would review if Malook could be extended “temporary assistance.”

The UN earlier on Tuesday denied coercing the lawyer. “The UN in Pakistan extended its assistance to Mr. Malook at his request ... nor can the UN force someone to leave Pakistan against his or her will,” said UN spokesperson Eri Kaneko.

Asia Bibi spent nearly a decade on death row after being accused of blasphemy following a dispute with Muslim fellow villagers over drinking from the same bowl of water.