Family of blasphemy-accused Briton appeals for help

Published January 28, 2014
The special court inside Rawalpindi's Adiyala Jail, where Asghar is being held, rejected defence claims that Asghar has mental health problems.—AP/File Photo
The special court inside Rawalpindi's Adiyala Jail, where Asghar is being held, rejected defence claims that Asghar has mental health problems.—AP/File Photo

ISLAMABAD: The family of a mentally ill British man sentenced to death in Pakistan for blasphemy has urged London to intervene to seek his release.

Mohammad Asghar was sentenced by a court in Rawalpindi, near the capital Islamabad, last week for writing letters claiming to be a prophet.

The special court inside Rawalpindi's Adiyala Jail, where Asghar is being held, rejected defence claims that Asghar has mental health problems.

But a statement from the British charity Reprieve, which is helping Asghar’s family, said the 69-year-old was detained by authorities in Scotland in 2010 because of mental problems and diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.

“We are really upset and concerned that they will never release him and that he will die in jail. He has already attempted suicide unsuccessfully,” Asghar's family said in the statement released on Monday.

“We just want him back home where hopefully he can be treated for and recover from his mental illness.

“We urge the British Government to intervene and bring him home to us where he will be safe.”

Blasphemy is an extremely sensitive issue in Pakistan, where 97 per cent of the population is Muslim and insulting the Holy Prophet (PBUH) can carry the death penalty.

But the country has had a de facto moratorium on civilian hangings since 2008. Only one person has been executed since then, a soldier convicted by court martial.

Rights groups say the tough blasphemy laws are frequently abused to settle personal scores.

The family says the allegations against Asghar stem from a property dispute with one of his tenants.

Reprieve also complained that Asghar's legal team had been denied access to him since his conviction.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.