Lahore, Pakistan, Nov 29, 2010 / 23:05 pm
A Christian man in Pakistan who was sentenced to 25 years in prison for blasphemy charges was released on Nov. 27.
Munir Masih was sentenced in December 2008 for allegedly touching the Quran with “dirty hands,” reported Fides news. Masih maintained his innocence, however, claiming that accusations were made by a neighbor after an argument between their children. Masih was freed on bail on Nov. 27 by the High Court of Lahore.
Also charged with a 25 year prison sentence for blasphemy was his wife, Riqqiya Bibi. Although she remains in prison, her lawyers are hopeful that after the release of her husband, she too will be allowed to leave. The high court is scheduled to rule on her case next week.
In a recent interview, Bishop of Faisalabad Joseph Coutts stated that fundamentalism and intolerance are growing, with particular threats coming from Pakistan’s harsh anti-blasphemy laws.