Acquitted
of Blasphemy, Pakistani Christian Reportedly Finding Refuge in Europe
by Abigail R. Esman • Nov 8, 2018
at 12:54 pm
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When Asia Bibi's conviction for blasphemy was overturned last month,
thousands of extremists stormed the streets of Pakistan. Blasphemy is a capital
crime in that country, and the protesters wanted her dead.
Now Bibi has reportedly been released, and the extremists are rioting again.
Bibi, a Christian, was accused of blasphemy in 2009 after allegedly
arguing with a group of Muslim women who claimed that she made derogatory
remarks about their religion and their god – charges Bibi denied from the
beginning. According to Deutsche Welle, such accusations are often used
as vengeance in handling petty disputes. She was sentenced to death a year
later.
The Washington Post reports Bibi's release has been confirmed by Pakistani
officials. It is not clear where Bibi is at the moment. But Pir Afzal
Qadri, a leader of the protesting group, claimed
in a video that the government assured him "that she is in the
custody of law enforcement agencies . . . and has not been flown out of the
country,".
Foreign media speculation, however, has her en route to Europe – and
probably to the Netherlands, where, according to CNN, she has already filed for asylum. Her
lawyer, Saif ul-Malook, fled
to Holland earlier this week after also receiving death threats in Pakistan
in the wake of Bibi's acquittal.
On Thursday, the Dutch government offered Malook the right to remain in
the country for three months through a temporary refuge program that aids
human rights workers who are in danger in their homeland. He has not
applied for asylum, but it is believed that he will accept the offer to
remain in the Netherlands for the time being.
However, Malook has not said whether Bibi is joining him in Holland,
though he did suggest at a press conference earlier this week that
she may be coming to the West sometime soon. He also noted that her husband
had written to British Prime Minister Theresa May to request asylum in the
UK. While May has yet to respond, both Belgium
and the Netherlands have indicated that they would welcome
her arrival and assure her refuge.
So far, Dutch officials have refused to confirm or deny the rumors. But
what is sure is that, as Islamist radicals threaten further violence in
Pakistan, Asia Bibi is free.
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