Close X
Tuesday, November 19, 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

    Pope Francis: It's 'terrible' Children Taught They Can Choose Gender

    Pope Francis: It's 'terrible' Children Taught They Can Choose Gender
    Without specifying, he blamed this on textbooks supplied by "persons and institutions who donate money."

    Pope Francis: It's 'terrible' Children Taught They Can Choose Gender

    7,700 Indian workers affected in Saudi Arabia: MEA

    7,700 Indian workers affected in Saudi Arabia: MEA
    Giving a breakup of the figures, Swarup said 4,072 workers belonging to construction company Saudi Oger in Riyadh are in 10 camps: nine in Riyadh and one in Damman.

    7,700 Indian workers affected in Saudi Arabia: MEA

    Dhaka Attack: Bangladeshi-Canadian Tamim Chowdhury Named As Mastermind

    Dhaka Attack: Bangladeshi-Canadian Tamim Chowdhury Named As Mastermind
    A raid in Dhaka 4 days ago provided police the clue to identify Tamim Chowdhury as the architect of the recent Islamist assaults, a police officer familiar with the investigations told on anonymity.

    Dhaka Attack: Bangladeshi-Canadian Tamim Chowdhury Named As Mastermind

    Investigation Into Cocaine Smuggling From Mexico To Canada Results In Arrests

    RCMP say during the course of their investigation, they seized more than two kilograms of cocaine.

    Investigation Into Cocaine Smuggling From Mexico To Canada Results In Arrests

    Canadian Rugby Player Dies In Adirondack Tournament

    Canadian Rugby Player Dies In Adirondack Tournament
    A Canadian rugby player has collapsed and died of an apparent heart attack at a tournament in the Adirondack Mountains.

    Canadian Rugby Player Dies In Adirondack Tournament

    My Wife Murdered In ‘Honour Killing' In Pakistan: Grieving Husband Releases Shock Photo Of Wife's

    My Wife Murdered In ‘Honour Killing' In Pakistan: Grieving Husband Releases Shock Photo Of Wife's
    The husband of a Pakistani-origin British woman who was allegedly killed for "honour" in Punjab province on July 20 has demanded justice from the UK and Pakistan governments.

    My Wife Murdered In ‘Honour Killing' In Pakistan: Grieving Husband Releases Shock Photo Of Wife's