Pakistani Muslim mob demands death for Christian activist accused of ‘blasphemy’

By Dan Wooding and Sheraz Khurram Khan

RAWALPINDI, PAKISTAN – In an apparent attempt to influence court proceedings, a huge Muslim mob gathered outside a court in Rawalpindi on Friday, January 30, as it heard the case of Hector Aleem, a Christian activist, who was arrested on January 22 under Pakistan’s most abused blasphemy laws.

Muslim protesters shouted slogans against Hector Aleem and demanded that the accused be given death sentence. A January 27 court hearing also drew angry Muslims who protested outside the court.

ANS has learnt that some hard-line Muslims filed an application with the Chairman of Rawalpindi Bar Association against Malik Asif Touseef, the defense counsel of Hector Aleem. The application said that neither Malik nor any other lawyer should be allowed to defend Hector since he had committed alleged “blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad.” It is alleged that he sent a “blasphemous” text from his cell phone.

pLocal Police, who are apparently under intense pressure from radical Muslims have extended Hector’s remand.

Joseph Francis, National Director of Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement CLAAS has urged the Christians across the world to pray for release of Hector Aleem.

The court has fixed February 2 as the next date of a hearing of the case.