Pakistani Christians sentenced to death for blasphemy

LAHORE, Pakistan — Sawan Masih, now the second Christian on death row on blasphemy charges along with Asia Bibi, was sentenced by Lahore Additional District and Sessions Judge Chaudhry Ghulam Murtaza at the Kot Lakhpath Jail in Lahore, Pakistan. He also was fined $2,027.

Accusations against Masih sparked the destruction of 180 Christian-owned homes and shops in Lahore’s Joseph Colony in March 2013; an anti-terrorism court freed the 133 Muslim suspects in spite of strong video evidence against them. Masih was accused of insulting the prophet of Islam during a drunken conversation with a Muslim friend March 8, 2013. 

Amnesty International said Pakistan should immediately release Masih and quash his conviction. David Griffiths, Amnesty’s Deputy Asia Pacific director, said, “There are serious concerns about the fairness of his trial.”