>From Robin Fernandez
KARACHI: Lawyers for a Christian youth sentenced to death for blasphemy have filed an appeal against last month's verdict of a sessions court in Faisalabad. Twenty-eight-year-old Aslam Ashiq Masih was pronounced guilty on June 29 by the additional district and sessions judge, Muhammad Rafiq, who handed down the death sentence and a 50,000-rupee fine. The appeal was filed this week by the Center for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement, according to a spokesperson for the inter-denominational group. Lawyers said Thursday that Aslam Masih would probably be hanged if their appeal is turned down. Aslam Masih was arrested on May 2, 2000, on the complaint of a Sunni Tehrik worker Rana Nisar Ahmed who accused him of making derogatory remarks about Prophet Muhammad. But Masih's relatives say that Ahmed was upset that he had become a Christian again after converting to Islam and acquiring a Muslim wife three years ago. They explain that Aslam had abandoned his faith because he was swayed by the promise of financial rewards. Two months before his arrest, Ahmed confronted Aslam about his decision to revert to Christianity. He also told him to stop meeting his Christian relatives. A brawl followed the shouting match but the police interrupted the fight before it could degenerate into mob violence against minority Christians. A case was registered against Aslam under clause 295C of the blasphemy law. "If a Christian is forced to convert to Islam, then it is regarded as Sunnah. But if a Muslim embraces Christianity, then he is considered an apostate... eligible to be killed," said Nasir Saeed of Claas-UK. "This double standard adopted by the Muslim society is a threat to the Christian community and cannot be tolerated at any cost," Saeed said in a statement. Human rights activists say only a substantial change in the blasphemy law or a total repeal could guarantee against its misuse against the innocent. Five other Christian males are currently undergoing sentencing or awaiting trial in connection with blasphemy. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Sign up for SBC Yahoo! Dial - First Month Free http://sbc.yahoo.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet =================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
