Release International

The courts have dismissed blasphemy charges against a Christian rights activist from Islamabad – but he remains in jail as investigators decide if there is a case to answer.

As 7x7 has reported (7x7, February 10, 2009), angry crowds gathered around the courthouse where Hector Aleem was to be tried for allegedly sending a text message insulting Islam's prophet Mohammed.

A court judge in February threw out the blasphemy charge because the offending text message was sent from an 'unlisted phone number'. But a lower court has ruled that Hector could be charged with 'abetting blasphemy'. It is alleged that the sender of the text had previously had a long chat with someone on Hector's number.

It is believed Hector, who has been at Adiyala jail in Rawalpindi since January, may have been framed due to his work lobbying for Christians' rights. Hector has recently become involved in a dispute between local Christians and the Rawalpindi Water and Sanitation Agency, which wants to demolish their church, reports Compass Direct news agency.

Meanwhile, two Christians, Walayat Masih and Mushtaq Masih, have been charged with blasphemy after an incident in Malukay, 55 miles from Lahore. A Release partner says Muslims accused the Christians of 'defiling' the Muslim statement of faith during a ceremony in a graveyard. Islamists have threatened to kill local Christians.

(Sources: Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement, Compass Direct)

• Pray that all charges against Hector, Walayat and Mushtaq will be dropped.
• Ask God to protect these men and their families from extremist reprisals.

Back to top