RAWALPINDI, Pakistan — A Pakistani Christian charged with abetting blasphemy against Islam was denied bail for his safety after an Islamist lawyer allegedly threatened his life in a court hearing.
Hector Aleem, 51, remains in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, near Pakistan’s capital of Islamabad. Judge Mustafa Tanveer dismissed his bail application at a hearing April 30.
“If the judge does not punish Aleem according to the law, then [we] will kill him ourselves,” said Tariq Dhamal, an attorney for the unnamed complainant.
Aleem’s lawyer, Malik Tafik, said he has filed for upcoming hearings to be closed to the public for fear that Muslim fanatics will try to kill his Christian client. Tafik said the judge is afraid to rule in favor of Aleem for fear of his life from Rawalpindi Islamists.
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