She faces death penalty if found
guilty
LAHORE,
PAKISTAN – (ANS)- A Pakistani court has fixed May 26, 2010 as the
date of to hear the case of a Christian woman accused of blasphemy. If found
guilty she faces the death sentence.
Martha Bibi, 45, married with three
sons and three daughters, was first accused of the blasphemy charge on January
22, 2007 after she was arrested on that date under a blasphemy case registered
on the application of a local Muslim.
Bibi, who used to live in the
village of Kot Nanak Singh, was accused if derogatory remarks against the Koran
and of “defiling the sacred name of the prophet Muhammad.”
She was charged under Article 295C
of the Pakistani Criminal Code – the notorious “blasphemy law” – that
stipulates very heavy punishments (up to the death penalty) for those who
offend the Prophet or the sacred texts of Islam.
“In reality, according to local
witnesses, the charges were brought by Muslim contractors who did not want to
pay for materials supplied to a construction site by Bibi and her husband, a
bricklayer,” reported Asia News.
Sohail Johnson, Chief Coordinator of
Sharing Life Ministry Pakistan (SLMP), said that Martha Bibi was later released
from prison on bail, but the trial was pending in the Kasur session court.
He told ANS that, “in view of
possible attacks on Martha’s life,” her lawyer had moved an application
for transference of her case from Kasur to Lahore Sessions Court, and this was
accepted by the Lahore High Court.
“The trial is going to be
concluded on May 26, 2010,” said Johnson. “The statements of
prosecution, defense and court witnesses have been recorded, while final
arguments have to be heard by the court.”
The Christian human rights activist
said that his ministry had been extending “moral and financial
support” to Martha and her family since the trouble began for her over
three years ago.
“Fearing attack, she covered
her face with a scarf as she appeared for a previous court hearing,” said
Johnson. “She was encouraged when we she metion the court’s premises our
SLMP caseworkers, Yousaf Kamran and Haroon Michael.”
Mr. Johnson has urged Christian
brothers and sisters around the world to pray for “protection of
Martha” and for “her deliverance from the blasphemy trial.”
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