Christian woman acquitted over blasphemy remains in Pakistan after release

A CHRISTIAN woman acquitted after eight years on death row for blasphemy has been released but her whereabouts in Islamabad remain secret after demands by radical Islamists that she be publicly executed.

Asia Bibi was with her family and under heavy security after being transferred to the Pakistani capital overnight from a detention facility in southern Punjab.

The European Parliament has made an offer to protect her family. For the moment she is still in Pakistan, according to two people who are close to her.

Ms Bibi left the Punjab facility amid tight security late on Wednesday and was flown to Islamabad. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry confirmed later yesterday that Ms Bibi was still in Pakistan.

Radical Islamists have been demanding her death as well as the death of the three Supreme Court judges who acquitted her last week.

Following her acquittal, the hardline Tehreek-e-Labbaik Party forced a country-wide shut down as their supporters took to the streets for three days to protest against her release.

Scores of protesters were arrested for damaging vehicles and property during the rallies, and bank accounts of some of the leaders of the party were reportedly frozen.

The rallies only dispersed after Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government promised a court would review a motion to challenge the acquittal and deny Ms Bibi permission to leave Pakistan.

Ms Bibi’s acquittal initially seemed to bring an end to her ordeal, which began in 2009 when the 54-year-old farm worker went to fetch water. An argument took place after two fellow farm workers refused to drink from the same container as a Christian. Nearly a week later, the two women said Ms Bibi had insulted the Prophet Muhammad and she was charged with blasphemy – a controversial issue in Pakistan. The charge carries the death penalty and Ms Bibi was sentenced to death in 2010.