Gender: Female

Perpetrator: Pakistan

Religion or Belief: Christian – Unspecified/Other

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Acquitted

Sentence: Originally Death

Date of Detainment: July//2013

Date of Sentencing: April/4/2014

Date of Release: July/1/2021

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

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

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Hate Speech

Shagufta Kausar

Extra Bio Info:

Shagufta Kausar was imprisoned and sentenced to death for blasphemy.

In July 2013, authorities Kausar and her husband, Shafqat Emmanuel, for allegedly sending blasphemous texts.  The content of the messages is unclear.  The two were reportedly charged with "desecrating the Qur'an" (Sec. 295-B PPC), "insulting the Prophet Muhammad" (Sec. 295-C PPC), and "causing annoyance, intimidation, and harassment" (Sec. 25-D Telegraph Act, 1885).

On April 4, 2014, Kausar and Emmanuel were sentenced to death.

On June 3, 2021, Kausar and Emmanuel were acquitted.

On July 1, 2021, Emmanuel and Kausar were released from prison.

Kausar and Emmanuel reportedly have four children.

Related Cases: Shafqat Emmanuel

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