Death row Briton shot in Pakistan jail cell
A SCOTS gr andfather sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan was in intensive care last night after being shot in his prison cell. Mohammad Asgahr, 70, was arrested in 2010 after writing letters to officials claiming to be the Prophet Mohammed.
Yesterday, at around 8.30am local time in Rawalpindi, near the capital Islamabad, Mr Asghar was attacked at Adiala Jail.
According to reports, the gunman is a member of the Elite Force of Police Commandos. It was said he walked into Mr Asghar’s cell before opening fire. He was reportedly overpowered by prison guards.
It is believed the mentally ill Edinburgh man was shot in the back, injuring his ribs and lungs. He may also have been struck on the arm.
Mr Asghar’s daughter, Sophia,
‘His family are extremely upset’
said: ‘We found out what happened this morning and we are still in shock. I can’t say anything about it right now.’
Her sister, Jasmine Rana, 40, said: ‘My dad is in intensive care just now. This is tough on all the family.’
Solicitor Aamer Anwar, who is acting on behalf of the family, called on David Cameron to urge Pakistan’s prime minister Nawaz Sharif to release Mr Asghar.
Mr Anwar said: ‘It is unacceptable that this poor, old, seriously ill man is sat in a prison – presently a hospital – and is facing death. He needs to come home to his family.
‘ His f amily ar e e xtr e mely distressed but are also angry because they were given personal assurances that if they kept quiet then he would be returned home.’
Mr Anwar said that the next 48 hours would be critical for Mr Asghar’s ‘personal safety’. The solicitor said his client’s mental health had deteriorated and his delusions had become worse.
Mr Asghar was diagnosed with severe paranoid schizophrenia after being admitted to an Edinburgh psychiatric facility under an Emergency Detention Certificate in February 2010.
He later travelled to Pakistan. The blasphemy claim against him was made by a tenant with whom he was in dispute.
Earlier this year David Cameron said that he was ‘deeply concerned’ about Mr Asghar’s case.
Although the extent of his injuries are not known, a doctor treating him at an undisclosed hospital said: ‘He is out of danger now.’
Activists have continued to campaign for Mr Asghar’s release since his conviction.
The charity Reprieve said it was concerned for his safety. Spokesman Maya Foa said: ‘This appalling attack shows that the only way to ensure Mr Asghar’s safety is to have him returned home. ‘ The UK Government must redouble their efforts on this front – and as a first step, must urgently ensure that he is moved today to a safe location in Pakistan, until he is well enough to travel. Mr Asghar is a vulnerable, 70-year-old man suffering from severe mental illness – a fact which has been consistently ignored by the Pakistani courts during his four year ordeal.’
It can take up to five years in Pakistan for an appeal to make it to court.
A Foreign Office spokesman said it was aware that a British national had been injured in prison in Pakistan, and added: ‘We have raised our concerns with the local authorities at a senior level.’