Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Pakistan

Religion or Belief: Christian – Unspecified/Other

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Acquitted

Sentence: Death

Date of Detainment: March/9/2013

Date of Sentencing: March/27/2014

Date of Release: October/15/2020

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Figures)

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy

Sawan Masih

Extra Bio Info:

Sawan Masih was imprisoned and sentenced to death for blasphemy.

On March 9, 2013, authorities arrested Masih, a street sweeper, after he was accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad in a dispute with a friend.  In light of the accusation, a mob of more than 3,000 destroyed more than 100 Christian homes, dozens of businesses, and at least two churches.

On March 27, 2014, Masih was sentenced to death for "insulting the Prophet Muhammad" (Sec. 295-C PPC) in a closed trial in prison.

On October 6, 2020, the Lahore High Court acquitted Masih.

On October 15, 2020, Masih was reportedly released from prison. 

Masih is reportedly a father of three.

Publicly Available Information:

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Pakistan

Religion or Belief: Muslim – Shi'a

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: Death

Date of Detainment: April//2016

Date of Sentencing: June/10/2017

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Figures) Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Online Activity

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Hate Speech Terrorism

Taimoor Raza

Extra Bio Info:

Taimoor Raza is imprisoned and sentenced to death for blasphemy.

In April 2016, authorities arrested Raza after he was accused of insulting various Islamic figures on Facebook. Authorities charged him with "insulting the Prophet Muhammad" (Sec. 295-C PPC), among others.

In June 2017, an anti-terrorism court in Bahawalpur, Punjab, sentenced Raza to death.

Publicly Available Information:

Additional Name(s): Ramesh Kumar Malhi

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Pakistan

Religion or Belief: Hindu

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: May/27/2019

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Texts)

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy

Ramesh Kumar

Extra Bio Info:

Ramesh Kumar was detained for blasphemy.

On May 27, 2019, authorities arrested Kumar, a veterinarian, after he was accused of using Qur'anic text to wrap his medicine deliveries.  Following the accusation, a mob reportedly burned down Kumar's clinic, attacked the local police station, and damaged three Hindu businesses.

On March 12, 2020, Kumar was acquitted.

On an unspecified date, Kumar was released from prison.

Publicly Available Information:
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