Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Pakistan

Religion or Belief: Christian – Unspecified/Other

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: December/28/2020

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

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

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Hate Speech

Raja Waris

Extra Bio Info:

Raja Waris is detained for blasphemy.

In December 2020, authorities arrested Waris, a pastor, and charged him with "intending to outrage religious feelings" (Sec. 295-A PPC) and "using derogatory remarks in respect of holy personages" (Sec. 298-A PPC) after he was accused of committing blasphemy on Facebook.  Prior to his arrest, a mob reportedly threatened to kill Waris and burn down his neighborhood in light of the accusation.

On August 24, 2022, it was reported that the Supreme Court had granted Waris bail.

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