ICC Note:

Pakistani officials have removed the prosecutor who tried blackmailing 42 Christian prisoners to convert to Islam in exchange for acquittal. The prosecutor’s initial offer garnered international attention and outrage as activists condemned the pursuit of a religious ideal over justice for the prisoners. While it is encouraging that the prosecutor was removed from the case, some Christians believe that he should be sued and prosecuted for such prejudice.

04/05/2017 Pakistan (UCA News) – A Pakistani prosecutor who tried to push Christians into converting to Islam in exchange for an acquittal in a lynching trial has been removed from the case, activists said.

Pakistani media reported that Deputy District Public Prosecutor Syed Anees Shah told 42 Christian prisoners before an anti-terrorism court in Lahore that he could “guarantee their acquittal” if they converted to Islam.

Contacted by a British newspaper, Shah first denied the allegation then admitted that he had offered them a choice.

The Christians involved in the case are all from Youhanabad, Lahore. They were arrested in connection with the lynching of two suspected Muslim terrorists shortly after the Taliban attacked two churches on 15 March 2015, AsiaNews reported. The bombings killed 15 people.

Aftab Gill, information secretary of the Christian, Masiha Millat Party, later said the prosecutor was removed from the case by the Punjab law office.

…

[Full Story]