LAHORE, Pakistan — Three Christians facing blasphemy charges in Pakistan have recently been granted bail.
Saima Masih, a widow, was granted bail Sept. 10 after being accused of throwing papers that allegedly bore verses from the Quran. For security reasons, the bail decision was not announced until late October, report the media outlets Christian Daily International and Morning Star News.
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On Oct. 23, Chand Shamaun — charged with terrorism and insults to Islam and jailed since June — was released on bail. His attorney said the decision came from a two-judge panel, which noted discrepancies in information presented by police.
In addition, Zimran Asim was released on bail Oct. 30 in the third blasphemy case brought against him. He had been accused of desecrating the Quran and writing blasphemous content on three occasions in 2023. His attorney told the news services that Lahore High Court granted bail because no direct evidence linked Asim in the third purported incident. He was granted bail in April and July in the other two cases.
Pakistan is No. 7 on Open Doors’ 2024 World Watch List of places most difficult to be a Christian.
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