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Pakistani court acquits Christian couple sentenced to death for blasphemy
Source: Agence France-Presse
Pakistani court acquits Christian couple sentenced to death for blasphemy
AFP in Lahore
Thu 3 Jun 2021 17.22 BST
A Pakistani court has ordered the release of a Christian couple sentenced to death for blasphemy, lawyers said, weeks after the European parliament blasted the country over the case.
Shafqat Emmanuel and Shagufta Kausar were jailed in 2013 and convicted of sending a text message insulting the prophet Muhammad – even though both are illiterate.
The couple’s lawyer, Saif ul-Malook, said the pair had been acquitted on appeal at Lahore supreme court.
“I am very happy that we were able to get the release of this couple who are some of the most helpless people in our society,” said Malook, who expects them to be freed next week after the court orders are published.
-snip-
AFP in Lahore
Thu 3 Jun 2021 17.22 BST
A Pakistani court has ordered the release of a Christian couple sentenced to death for blasphemy, lawyers said, weeks after the European parliament blasted the country over the case.
Shafqat Emmanuel and Shagufta Kausar were jailed in 2013 and convicted of sending a text message insulting the prophet Muhammad – even though both are illiterate.
The couple’s lawyer, Saif ul-Malook, said the pair had been acquitted on appeal at Lahore supreme court.
“I am very happy that we were able to get the release of this couple who are some of the most helpless people in our society,” said Malook, who expects them to be freed next week after the court orders are published.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/03/pakistani-court-acquits-christian-couple-sentenced-to-death-for-blasphemy