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Christian woman convicted of blasphemy in Pakistan loses her appeal against death penalty | |
(about 14 hours later) | |
The Lahore High Court has upheld the death penalty against a Christian woman who was convicted of blasphemy in Pakistan four years ago, as her lawyers vowed to appeal. | The Lahore High Court has upheld the death penalty against a Christian woman who was convicted of blasphemy in Pakistan four years ago, as her lawyers vowed to appeal. |
Asia Bibi has been on death row since November 2010 after she was found guilty of making derogatory remarks about Islam during an argument with neighbours. | Asia Bibi has been on death row since November 2010 after she was found guilty of making derogatory remarks about Islam during an argument with neighbours. |
Ms Bibi consistently denied the allegations against her, saying they stemmed from an argument with a group of women over a pot of water. | Ms Bibi consistently denied the allegations against her, saying they stemmed from an argument with a group of women over a pot of water. |
Ms Bibi’s lawyer, Naeem Shakir, said: “I was expecting the opposite decision. We will file an appeal to the Supreme Court of Pakistan in a few days.” Gulam Mustafa, the complainant’s lawyer, said the court’s decision was correct. | Ms Bibi’s lawyer, Naeem Shakir, said: “I was expecting the opposite decision. We will file an appeal to the Supreme Court of Pakistan in a few days.” Gulam Mustafa, the complainant’s lawyer, said the court’s decision was correct. |
“Asia’s lawyer tried to prove that the case was registered on a personal enmity but he failed to prove that,” he said. | “Asia’s lawyer tried to prove that the case was registered on a personal enmity but he failed to prove that,” he said. |
Two witnesses allegedly involved in the incident did not appear in court, he said. A prayer leader did appear, saying he did not witness the original altercation, but that Ms Bibi had confessed. | Two witnesses allegedly involved in the incident did not appear in court, he said. A prayer leader did appear, saying he did not witness the original altercation, but that Ms Bibi had confessed. |
Ms Bibi’s sentence in 2010 sparked condemnation. | Ms Bibi’s sentence in 2010 sparked condemnation. |
Two prominent politicians – Punjab governor Salman Taseer and minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti – were murdered in 2011 after calling for reforms to the blasphemy law and describing Ms Bibi’s trial as flawed. | Two prominent politicians – Punjab governor Salman Taseer and minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti – were murdered in 2011 after calling for reforms to the blasphemy law and describing Ms Bibi’s trial as flawed. |
Reuters | Reuters |
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