Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - Sawan Masih, a Christian sentenced to death for blasphemy, who since 2014 has been on death row in the prison of Faisalabad, remains confident about his release: this is what the Christian Joseph Francis says in a note sent to Agenzia Fides. Francis is a leader of the NGO CLAAS (Centre for Legal Aid Assistance & Settlement) which follows and assists the cases of Christians discriminated against and persecuted in Pakistan. Francis met Masih in prison, the man reaffirmed his innocence and said he was very disappointed with justice and expressed concern for his wife and for his children.
"Unfortunately, extremists are becoming very powerful, and sometimes even the courts and the police seem powerless, as for example the case of Asia Bibi", said Joseph Francis to Fides.
Masih spends most of his time praying: he prays for his lawyers and for all the victims of blasphemy every morning. As reported by Francis, "Masih also prays for the judges in his daily prayer, so that God deepens their courage, and are able to apply true justice in their decisions". The man has, however, expressed full confidence, "justice will be done and he will embrace his family".
"I am grateful to those who are praying for me and my family and I ask everyone to continue to pray for me. God knows me, he knows that I am innocent and will give me freedom" said Masih.
Sawan Masih was accused of blasphemy in March 2013. Following his case, more than 178 homes in the Christian Joseph Colony neighborhood in Lahore were burned by a Muslim mob. Last spring he was sentenced to death for blasphemy (see Fides 04/04/2014), while no Muslim has yet been punished for all the damage caused. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 04/11/2014)
