Freedom for ‘blasphemy’ mum
A MOTHER who faced a death sentence for blasphemy in Pakistan has finally escaped the country.
Devout Christian Asia Bibi, released from prison seven months ago, was last night on her way to be reunited with her daughters in Canada.
Mrs Bibi, 53, had been languishing in custody while her freedom was blocked by the Pakistan army, but last night the Daily Mail was told she had been allowed to leave at last.
The mother of two endured eight years on death row for allegedly insulting Islam after being convicted in 2010 of offending the Prophet Mohammed under Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws.
Last October she was freed on appeal, sparking violent protests, and she was placed under armed protection from Islamist death squads as she sought asylum in a Western country.
Britain was urged to offer her sanctuary but never did. Eventually, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau stepped in.
Mrs Bibi’s extraction from Pakistan was repeatedly delayed but last month three judges upheld her acquittal. Last night a source said: ‘For the last few months she has been living in fear for her life.’
The Mail understands Mrs Bibi and her husband Ashiq Masih were spirited out of Pakistan this week. Their daughters were already in Canada.
IRANIAN judges are to review the case against jailed British mother Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe. However, her husband fears they may increase her sentence as he believes the review may relate to a second case brought against the charity worker after ex-foreign secretary Boris Johnson described her as a journalist.