Paul KeenanChristian makes legal bid for freedom
An appeal hearing in Pakistan to decide on the fate of imprisoned Christian Asia Bibi has been postponed.
Held on a charge of blasphemy since 2009, Bibi was due before the High Court in Lahore on March 17 to launch an action against her detention on the grounds that her case was a malicious use of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. However, before the case could proceed, it transpired that one of two judges required to make up the appeal panel had not turned up, necessitating an adjournment.
Originally sentenced to death for her alleged crime, Bibi has been held in solitary confinement in prison to protect her against fundamentalists who seek to kill her. One imam has offered a reward for her death.