Sectarian tensions flare-up in Pakistan after the nation’s Supreme Court acquits a Christian woman of blasphemy charges.
In response to the ruling, members of the Pakistani radical Islamic Party staged violent protests outside the Supreme Court building in Islamabad. The protesters clashed with the police and damaged nearby properties.
The acquitted woman — Asia Bibi — was facing the death penalty for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Islam.
Supporters a Pakistani religious party rally to condemn a Supreme Court decision that acquitted Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, who spent eight years on death row accused of blasphemy, in Karachi, Pakistan, Friday, Nov. 2, 2018. The release of Bibi was apparently delayed Friday after talks failed between the government and radical Islamists who want her publicly hanged. Placards read: “release of blasphemous Asia is unacceptable.” (AP Photo/Shakil Adil)
The protesters have since demanded a retrial of Bibi under Sharia law.
“At any cost, we do not accept Supreme Court’s one-sided verdict to release Asia,” stated Islamic protest leader Qazi Ahsan Ahmed. “We request the Supreme Court of Pakistan to review its judgment and constitute a larger bench and Shariah bench of appeals to hear this case again, and Asia should be handed down sentence as it was done by High Court and the lower courts.”
In the meantime, the family of Asia Bibi said they are seeking to leave Pakistan and seek asylum in another country.
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 6:25 AM PT — Fri. Nov. 2, 2018
