Pakistani Christian on trial for blasphemy charge

KASUR, Pakistan — The trial of a Christian woman accused of blaspheming Mohammed, the prophet of Islam, was set to begin Feb. 17 under Judge Rao Abdel Jabar. Pakistani officials had to relocate the trial against Martha Bibi Masih to the district capital of Kasur, 28 miles south of Lahore, to prevent violent demonstrations.

Police arrested Masih in the early morning hours of Jan. 23 after a violent mob stormed her house in the village of Kot Nanka Singh. The riot was prompted by claims that Masih made insulting remarks about Islam’s founder — a crime punishable by death under Pakistani law — during a quarrel with a neighbor. Masih remains behind bars in Kasur’s district jail, while her husband and five children have gone into hiding to avoid a revenge attack. "They are afraid and worried now," said defense lawyer Ezra Shujat. "They can’t work anywhere."