LAHORE, Pakistan — In a rare move by a Pakistani court, a Christian couple accused of blasphemy has been given bail.
Shaukat Masih and wife Kiran Shaukat were released on bail Oct. 21, attorney Zahid Nazeer told Morning Star News.
The parents of three minor children were charged with violating Pakistan’s blasphemy statutes after a Muslim accused them in September of tossing pages of the Quran from their rooftop. Section 295-B, the statute under which they were charged, mandates a life sentence for “desecrating the Quran,” states Morning Star.
Nazeer said the couple received bail for $360 (100,000 Pakistani rupees) each. He added that the judge indicated the case needs more investigation.
In Pakistan, being falsely accused of blaspheming against Islam is a common occurrence. It is also common for the accused to wait years in jail before a verdict is issued, reports Morning Star.
Pakistan is No. 7 on Open Doors’ 2023 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian.
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