International Christian Concern 2020 Pennsylvania Ave. NW #941 Washington DC 20006-1846 http://www.persecution.org Email: [1]

For Immediate Release

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Pakistani Court Upholds Life Sentence Against Christian Men

(8/18/03 4:20:07 PM) On August 7, 2003 the Lahore High Court in Eastern Pakistan upheld a lower court’s decision sentencing two Christian men to life in prison for allegedly burning the Koran, Islam’s holy book.

In February 1999, Amjad and Asif Masih were arrested in Jhang, 240 kilometers (164 miles) Northwest of Lahore, on charges of vagrancy. While in police custody, authorities claimed that the two men set fire to a copy of the Koran. Amjad and Asif maintain that the police officers set fire to the book themselves because the Christians refused to pay a bribe. However, Amjad and Asif were nonetheless sentenced on blasphemy charges in 2002. Amjad and Asif plan to appeal in the Supreme Court against the ruling of High Court.

Under Pakistan’s blasphemy law 295b, those who desecrate the Koran can be punished with life imprisonment and those who insult the prophet of Islam can be punished by the death penalty under law 295c.

Since these laws were implemented, hundreds of people have been jailed on blasphemy convictions. International and Pakistani human rights groups have criticized the law, saying it is easily abused because only the testimony of an accuser is needed to prosecute a suspect. Many Islamic radicals are using this law as a weapon to persecute Christians and other religious minorities of Pakistan.

The families of Amjid and Asif are finding it difficult to pursue the case because they are receiving threats from fundamentalists in the area. Their lives are in danger. Please pray for justice to be done in this case and for the protection of Amjid and Asif Masih and their families.

ICC is a Washington-DC based human rights organization that exists to help persecuted Christians worldwide. ICC delivers humanitarian aid, trains and supports persecuted pastors, raises awareness of the problem of persecution in the US Church and is an advocate for the persecuted to the US Government. For additional information or for an interview, contact ICC at 301-989-1708

[1]International Christian Concern ? http://www.persecution.org ? Email: ? 301-989-1708