Pakistan overturns conviction of woman held for eight years on blasphemy charges

Pakistan’s top court on Wednesday acquitted a woman who has spent eight years on death row on blasphemy charges, a move seen as a step forward for the country’s Christian minority, according to the Associated Press. 

Asia Bibi, who is Roman Catholic, was charged with blasphemy in 2010 after she fought with two Muslim farm workers who were refusing to drink out of the same container as a Christian. A mob later accused her of insulting Islam’s Prophet Muhammad, which eyewitnesses have disputed and Bibi denies.

The case at the time focused international attention on Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy law.

{mosads}Thousands of religious extremists in Pakistan on Wednesday took to the streets to protest the overturning of Bibi’s conviction, saying she should be punished for insulting the prophet. 

Prime Minister Imran Khan on national television criticized those who were inciting protests over the decision, the AP reported.

The blasphemy law has been the basis for multiple lynchings and the widespread persecution of minorities, according to the news service.

The governor of Pakistan’s Punjab province, Salman Taseer, was killed by one of his guards in 2011 for defending Bibi.

The judges in Bibi’s case upheld the blasphemy law but appeared to indicate that they might be willing to increase protections against false accusations.

Bibi’s husband, Ashiq Masih, told the AP that Bibi’s family is “very happy.”

“I am very happy,” he said. “My children are very happy. We are grateful to God. We are grateful to the judges for giving us justice. We knew that she is innocent.” 

France and Spain have offered Bibi asylum, according to the AP.