Close X
Monday, November 18, 2024
ADVT 
International

Convert To Islam To Avoid Conviction: Pakistani Prosecutor To Christians

IANS, 30 Mar, 2017 01:06 PM
    A senior Pakistani prosecutor has been accused of blackmailing dozens of Christians after he allegedly asked them to embrace Islam to avoid conviction in the killing of two Muslims in mass violence two years ago.
     
    Violence erupted in Youhanabad Christian neighbourhood of Lahore on March 15, 2015, after suicide blasts targeted Sunday mass in two churches. Some 42 Christians were charged with lynching two Muslim men, suspecting them of involvement in the blasts.
     
    Joseph Franci, a rights activist who is legally assisting the accused, said that Deputy District Public Prosecutor (DDPP) Syed Anees Shah told the accused that they can be acquitted if they renounce Christianity, The Express Tribune reported.
     
    “He told them if they embrace Islam, he can guarantee them their acquittal in this case,” Joseph said.
     
     
    The activist said the accused remained silent and were dumbfounded.
     
    Naseeb Anjum Advocate said that the public prosecutor’s offer was not new and added that he had also given this offer to some of the accused about six months back but they rejected it.
     
    “They believe in independence of the court, but why is the DDPP blackmailing them?” He asked.
     
    “The government should get rid of such elements that bring bad name to the state by such acts.”
     
    Shah, when contacted, said that he did not ask them to embrace Islam, but conceded that he offered them a choice when he was told that the accused have a video recording of what he said, the report said.
     
     
    The minorities in Pakistan in the past have been accusing Muslim clerics of forcibly converting them to Islam but it is for the first time that a state functionary used conversion as an incentive to dodge legal proceeding. 

    MORE International ARTICLES

    US Generals 'Reduced To Rubble' Under Barack Obama: Donald Trump

    US Generals 'Reduced To Rubble' Under Barack Obama: Donald Trump
    In yet another controversial remarks, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has said US generals under Obama administration have been "reduced to rubble" and suggested that he, if elected, would remove some top military officers to usher in a new upper echelon.

    US Generals 'Reduced To Rubble' Under Barack Obama: Donald Trump

    Florida Toddler Bitten More Than A Dozen Times At Day Care

    Florida Toddler Bitten More Than A Dozen Times At Day Care
    Amanda Beebe rushed to the day care centre where she left her 18-month-old and became hysterical. Her boy's body was covered with more than a dozen bite marks. His face, limbs and back were swollen and raw.

    Florida Toddler Bitten More Than A Dozen Times At Day Care

    Donald Trump's Remarks Unnerve Indian-Americans: US Lawmaker

    Donald Trump's Remarks Unnerve Indian-Americans: US Lawmaker
    The rhetoric that all Mexicans are rapists and Muslims are terrorists are of great concern to the Indian-American community. He continues to ridicule outsourcing and call centres

    Donald Trump's Remarks Unnerve Indian-Americans: US Lawmaker

    US Has Elevated Its Ties With India Across The Board: Barack Obama

    US Has Elevated Its Ties With India Across The Board: Barack Obama
    Welcoming India's growing role in the Asia-Pacific region, the US has said it will continue to work with other countries in the region for "addressing political and security challenges."

    US Has Elevated Its Ties With India Across The Board: Barack Obama

    Canadian Surveillance Aircraft Feeding ISIS Bombing Campaign With Info

    Canadian Surveillance Aircraft Feeding ISIS Bombing Campaign With Info
    OTTAWA — A senior military officer says Canadian military aircraft are providing vital intelligence to allies for their own air strikes and other operations against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

    Canadian Surveillance Aircraft Feeding ISIS Bombing Campaign With Info

    Bangladeshi Woman, Ex-partner Found Dead In Sydney

    Bangladeshi Woman, Ex-partner Found Dead In Sydney
      The bodies of Tasmin Bahar and Dave Pillay were discovered inside the bathroom of the house in Smithfield of Sydney, Australia. 

    Bangladeshi Woman, Ex-partner Found Dead In Sydney