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

    In A Rare Case, Hindu Girl Weds Childhood Muslim Friend In Pakistan After Converting To Islam

    In A Rare Case, Hindu Girl Weds Childhood Muslim Friend In Pakistan After Converting To Islam
    The family of Gordhan Das Khatri willingly allowed their daughter to convert to Islam in order to marry her childhood friend Bilal Qaimkhani whose father Muhammad Yousuf Qaimkhani is an old friend of Khatri.

    In A Rare Case, Hindu Girl Weds Childhood Muslim Friend In Pakistan After Converting To Islam

    No One Should Tell Women What To Wear: Sadiq Khan On Burkini Ban

    No One Should Tell Women What To Wear: Sadiq Khan On Burkini Ban
    London mayor Sadiq Khan has joined other protesters in the British capital to condemn the burkini ban in France, saying no one should dictate women what they can and can't wear.

    No One Should Tell Women What To Wear: Sadiq Khan On Burkini Ban

    Does China Still Harvest Organs Of Executed? Doctors Divided

    Does China Still Harvest Organs Of Executed? Doctors Divided
    The case adds to doubts among many doctors internationally about whether China has met its pledge to stop harvesting the organs of executed inmates. 

    Does China Still Harvest Organs Of Executed? Doctors Divided

    Halifax Cabbie Faces Sexual Assault Charge After Turning Himself Into Police

    Halifax Cabbie Faces Sexual Assault Charge After Turning Himself Into Police
    Investigators arrested Saher Hamdan at Halifax Regional Police headquarters on Thursday.

    Halifax Cabbie Faces Sexual Assault Charge After Turning Himself Into Police

    German Mayor Fires Palestinian Intern For Wearing Headscarf

    A 48-year-old Palestinian refugee, hired as an intern at a German mayor's office, was fired on the first day of work because she refused to remove her headscarf.

    German Mayor Fires Palestinian Intern For Wearing Headscarf

    22 Metal Pieces Removed From Stomach Of Woman In Pakistan

    22 Metal Pieces Removed From Stomach Of Woman In Pakistan
      The incident occurred in Peshawar's Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) yesterday, where a 22-year-old woman from Kurram tribal district was operated upon.

    22 Metal Pieces Removed From Stomach Of Woman In Pakistan