2012-11-20 15:04:13

Pakistan: Rimsha blasphemy case dropped


November 20, 2012: A court in Pakistan has dropped on Tuesday a controversial blasphemy case against a Christian girl accused by her neighbour of burning pages from the Koran, reported BBC.

The girl, known as Rimsha and aged 14, was held in a maximum security jail in July prompting international concern. Her arrest followed accusations by a Muslim cleric now facing a case for allegedly planting evidence.

Rimsha's lawyer said the case had been a misuse of law. Her family received death threats and went into hiding. Following an outcry over the case, Rimsha, who doctors said was 14 years old but with a younger mental age, was released on bail - an extremely rare move in blasphemy cases.

The case against the Muslim cleric, accused of framing her, will proceed, said BBC. He will be tried for making a false accusation. There has been no word yet from Rimsha and her family, who remain in hiding, at an undisclosed location.

A leading human rights campaigner has welcomed the decision to drop the case against her, but says her life could still be at risk from extremists.

Blasphemy is a highly sensitive issue in Pakistan, where 97% of the population are Muslim. Christian campaigners say more than 30 people - suspected of blasphemy - have been killed by mobs or vigilantes over the past 20 years. Critics say the controversial laws are misused all too often - to persecute minorities or settle scores.








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