VATICAN CITY: A Christian mother sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan last year is in a “very frail” physical and mental state, a human rights group that visited her in prison said in a statement Tuesday.
“Because of her solitary confinement, Asia Bibi, 46, appears considerably older, has a pale complexion, she looks very frail, even unable to stand on her own,” the Masihi Foundation was quoted by Catholic news agency Fides as saying.
“During the time spent with her, her eyes were not fixed at any one place at any time, she could not understand what was happening, she was completely confused and looked astonished,” the group said after the visit on Monday.
Bibi, a mother of five who is being held in a prison in Sheikpura in the Punjab region, however told her visitors that she has forgiven her accusers.
She was sentenced to death for blasphemy in November 2010 after drinking water from a well reserved for Muslims and allegedly making derogatory remarks about the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Her appeal at the High Court in Lahore is ongoing.
“She said she has not been taken seriously by anyone, she was frightened and seemed very cold and nervous. She hardly made eye contact,” Masihi said.
When asked about forgiveness, Bibi was quoted by the foundation as saying: “I have already forgiven those who blamed me of blasphemy.”
Pope Benedict XVI and the international community have condemned her conviction and have asked for her to be pardoned.
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