Pak Christian charged of blasphemy found dead in jail

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Pakistan anti-blasphemy law rally
A demonstration in support of Asia Bibi.

Pakistan anti-blasphemy law rally
A demonstration in support of Asia Bibi.

A Christian man serving a life sentence for blasphemy has been found dead in his prison cell.

Reports said Qamar David, who had been awaiting appeal against his 2010 conviction, was found dead today in his prison cell in Karachi’s main jail.

Jail authorities have attributed David’s death to a heart attack. However, church leaders doubt the claim even as human rights activists have demanded an independent autopsy.

Andrew Johnston, Advocacy Director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), was quoted as saying thus in a news report: “Given the threats known to be faced by blasphemy prisoners, it is imperative that the true cause of his death be investigated properly and independently.”

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Complete Coverage: Pakistan’s blasphemy law

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Qamar David had been in prison since being accused of committing blaspheming against Prophet Muhammad in 2002.

The incident has sparked particular concern in Pakistan where only two weeks ago Minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti, an outspoken critic of the blasphemy laws, was assassinated.

David’s lawyer had been seeking an appeal hearing ever since a sessions court in Karachi sentenced David to life imprisonment in February last year.

The lawyer had always maintained that the allegations were baseless and triggered by a business rivalry.

David’s death has also been condemned by the Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS), which was involved in the early stages of David’s case.

CLAAS’ UK Coordinator Nasir Saeed said: “Qamar is yet another victim of Pakistan’s unjust blasphemy laws. Even if the charges brought against him were true, it is appalling that he should have been sentenced to life in prison and even more tragic that he should have died there. In the past, Christians have been attacked in prison or died behind bars in suspicious circumstances.His death raises more questions about the safety of Christians in prison and we hope that that there is no foul play here. Our thoughts and prayers are with Qamar’s family.”

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