Pakistan: Pastor shot dead in prison

Rev Zafar Bhatti

A Protestant pastor, Rev Zafar Bhatti, was found shot dead in his cell on 25 September, in a prison in Rawalpindi, Pakistan after being accused of blasphemy.

Professor Shahid Mobeen, Pakistani professor of Islamic mysticism at the Pontifical Lateran University, who is involved with the association of Pakistani Christians, said Pastor Zafar was an innocent man and is a 'new martyr.'

"According to the principles of the rule of law, the accused are innocent until proven guilty. More so in blasphemy cases where the allegations are false and often specious. The police, who should protect prisoners, become executioner: it is abhorrent", said Professor Mobeen.

Professor Mobeen said: "We want to come together and make Italian and European institutions aware of this situation, so that they ask Pakistan to have the utmost respect for the accused, and stop those who are taking the law into their own hands. Too many innocent people are victims of extrajudicial executions".

Source: Fides