Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Pakistan
Religion or Belief: Christian – Unspecified/Other
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Acquitted
Sentence: Originally Life Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: July/1/2009
Date of Sentencing: January/11/2010
Date of Release: December//2021
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Texts)
Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Hate Speech
Imran Ghafur Masih was imprisoned for blasphemy.
On July 1, 2009, authorities arrested Masih after he was accused of burning a Qur'an. Following the accusation, a mob attacked Masih and his family and attempted to burn down their home.
On January 11, 2010, the Sessions Court of Faisalabad found Masih guilty of "intending to outrage religious feelings" (Sec. 295-A PPC) and "desecrating the Qur'an" (Sec. 295-B PPC). It sentenced him to life in prison and fined him 100,000 rupees.
On December 15, 2020, the Lahore High Court acquitted Masih. He was released following the ruling.
"Imran Ghafur Masih" Church In Chains
"Court in Pakistan Acquits Christian Sentenced to Life in Prison for Blasphemy" International Christian Concern (ICC)