News / Asia

Pakistan's 'Blasphemy Girl' Remains in Detention

Police escort blindfolded Muslim cleric Khalid Jadoon on suspicion of framing Christian girl Rimsha Masih who was arrested under the country's controversial anti-blasphemy, September 2, 2012.
Police escort blindfolded Muslim cleric Khalid Jadoon on suspicion of framing Christian girl Rimsha Masih who was arrested under the country's controversial anti-blasphemy, September 2, 2012.
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VOA News
The bail hearing of a Pakistani Christian girl arrested more than two weeks ago on blasphemy charges was adjourned Monday and rescheduled for Friday, leaving the girl in detention at least until then.

The judge adjourned the hearing because of a lawyers' strike.

The girl, Rimsha Masih, was arrested by police after angry neighbors surrounded her house in Islamabad, accusing her of burning pages inscribed with verses from the Quran.

On Saturday, police arrested a Muslim cleric on suspicion that he planted evidence against the girl.  The arrest was made after members of his mosque alerted police.  

Under Pakistan's blasphemy law, anyone who speaks ill of Islam and the Prophet Mohammed commits a crime and faces the death penalty.

The girl is about 14 years old and has Down syndrome.

Human rights activists say Pakistan's blasphemy law is sometimes used to harass religious minorities.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.

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by: john from: german
September 04, 2012 9:46 PM
i can't see any free speach in this website.


by: Rob Swift from: Great Britain
September 03, 2012 9:30 AM
The Law is what Moses gave them. Woe to those who enact harmful regulations, and what these (clerics)are enacting is not law.
The koran is a simple, reasonable, and humble book all about reasonable behaviour, and observance of The Most High, The light of the world. The Son of Man. The Way.
It's not about chasing little girls.


by: Vickie from: Chattanooga
September 03, 2012 9:02 AM
That poor child is in the hands of ignorant savages with a deadly sense of religion.

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