Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Pakistan
Religion or Belief: Christian – Unspecified/Other
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: February/13/2021
Date of Release: August/23/2022
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Figures) Blasphemy (Religious Texts) Discussing Religion & Religious Texts
Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Hate Speech
Salamat Mansha Masih was detained for blasphemy.
On February 13, 2021, authorities arrested Masih and charged him with "intending to outrage religious feelings" (Sec. 295-A PPC), "desecrating the Qur'an" (Sec. 295-B PPC), and "insulting the Prophet Muhammad" (Sec. 295-C PPC). Masih and his friend, Haroon Ayub, were reportedly having Bible study in a park when they gave other individuals in the park some of their religious literature. Those individuals then accused the two of blasphemy.
On August 23, 2022, Masih was reportedly released from jail after the Supreme Court granted him bail.
"PAKISTAN: Supreme Court frees three Christians on bail on blasphemy law charges" Church In Chains
"SC gives bail to Christian sanitary worker in blasphemy case" Kross Konnection
The Voiceless Victims of Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws International Christian Concern (ICC)
"Two Christians Studying Bible in Park Charged with Blasphemy" Morning Star News