Additional Name(s): Nabil Masih

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Pakistan

Religion or Belief: Christian – Unspecified/Other

Health Concerns: Lipomas

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Sentence: 10 Years' Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: September/18/2016

Date of Sentencing: May/17/2018

Date of Release: March/18/2021

Current Status: Deceased

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Other) Online Activity

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Hate Speech

Nabeel Masih

Extra Bio Info:

Nabeel Masih was imprisoned for blasphemy.

On September 18, 2016, authorities arrested Masih - a minor at the time - after he was accused of posting content on Facebook insulting the Kaaba.  He was charged with "defiling a place of worship with the intention to insult religion" (Sec. 295) and "intending to outrage religious feelings" (Sec. 295-A PPC). 

Throughout his detainment, Masih's requests for bail were repeatedly denied.

On May 17, 2018, Masih was sentenced to ten years in prison.

On March 1, 2021, the Lahore High Court granted Masih bail.

On March 18, 2021, Masih was released on bail.

Masih reportedly suffered from painful lipomas while in prison, for which prison authorities failed to provide medical treatment. 

On July 31, 2025, Masih passed away in Lahore. Misah reportedly suffered from liver failure. 

Publicly Available Information:

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Pakistan

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: Death

Date of Detainment: July/12/2016

Date of Sentencing: September/14/2017

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

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

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Hate Speech

Nadeem James

Extra Bio Info:

Nadeem James is imprisoned and sentenced to death for blasphemy. 

In July 2016, authorities arrested James after he was accused of forwarding allegedly blasphemous content to a friend. Authorities charged him with "intending to outrage religious feelings" (Sec. 295-A PPC) and "insulting the Prophet Muhammad" (Sec. 295-C PPC).

In September 2017, the Sessions Court of Gujarat sentenced James to death.

Publicly Available Information:

Gender: Male

Current Location: Central Jail, Hyderabad

Perpetrator: Pakistan

Religion or Belief: Christian – Unspecified/Other

Health Concerns: Mental disability

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: Life Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: June/4/2015

Date of Sentencing: September/28/2018

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

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

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy

Yaqoob Bashir Masih

Extra Bio Info:

Yaqoob Bashir Masih is imprisoned for alleged blasphemy.

In June 2015, authorities arrested Masih after he was accused of burning a booklet containing Qur'an text and was harmed by a mob. Authorities charged him with "desecrating the Qur'an" (Sec. 295-B PPC) and "insulting the Prophet Muhammad" (Sec. 295-C PPC).

In September 2018, the Session and District Court of Mirpurkhas sentenced Masih to life in prison.

Publicly Available Information:
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