11/12/2018 Pakistan (International Christian Concern) – The United Kingdom has “not offered” Asia Bibi, a Christian woman acquitted of committing blasphemy in Pakistan, asylum because of fears that the offer could promote unrest against the country and its embassies abroad. This report comes as Bibi and her family remain under tight security in Pakistan following her acquittal by Pakistan’s Supreme Court.
On October 31, Pakistan’s Supreme Court acquitted Bibi and announced that the death sentence she received in 2010 was null and void. In June 2009, Bibi was accused of committing blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammed, a crime that carries a mandatory death sentence in Pakistan, by Muslim coworkers. Since her accusation in 2009, Bibi’s blasphemy case has remained one of the highest profile and controversial cases of blasphemy in Pakistan’s history.
Following the announcement of Bibi’s acquittal, Pakistan’s hardliners took to the streets in three days of protest. The protestors demanded the Supreme Court review its decision and the government place Bibi on the Exit Control List, effectively barring her from fleeing the country.
Last week Wednesday, November 7, the Pakistani government moved Bibi from the jail they had converted into a safe house to an unknown security facility. Many continue to speculate when and where to Bibi will be released, but to date, Bibi remains under tight security in Pakistan along with her family who have pleaded for asylum outside of Pakistan.
For interviews with William Stark, ICC’s Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org.
