[This time the Pak authorities have the right "blasphemer," a Mr. Khalid Chishti, the Muslim "cleric" who planted the burned Koran pages into the girl's book bag. Finally, reason enters into Pakistan's national "blasphemy" conversation. Just another case of a crazed zealot committing obvious sin, when thinking that he was doing God's will by persecuting this innocent little girl.]
[I have been corrected on the photo, allegedly of Rimsha. HERE is the photo's original posting.--editor]
Pakistan ‘Koran plot’ imam remanded in blasphemy case
A Pakistani imam has been remanded in custody, accused of planting pages of the Koran among burnt pages in the bag of a Christian girl held for blasphemy.
The girl was detained two weeks ago near the capital Islamabad after an angry mob demanded she be punished.
Imam Khalid Chishti allegedly told a witness that this was a “way of getting rid of Christians”, a prosecutor said.
The girl, named as Rimsha, is said to be about 14 and to have learning difficulties.
The case has sparked international condemnation.
Earlier this week, a court extended Rimsha’s detention at a maximum-security prison by a further two weeks.
Her father has said he fears for his daughter’s life and for the safety of his family. He has called on Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to pardon her.
Rimsha’s parents have been taken into protective custody following threats, and many other Christian families have fled the neighbourhood.
Pakistan’s strict blasphemy laws are often used to settle personal vendettas, correspondents say.
Last year two leading politicians were assassinated after speaking out against the legislation.
‘Proven conspiracy’
Imam Chishti appeared in the Islamabad court with a white blindfold and shackled hands.
There was a large police presence as he was ushered into the building.
“The imam was arrested after his deputy Maulvi Zubair and two others told a magistrate he added pages from the Koran to the burnt pages brought to him by a witness,” an investigator Munir Hussain Jaffri said.
He said Mr Zubair and some others had told the imam not to interfere, urging him to “give the evidence to the police as he got it”.
According to Mr Jaffri, Imam Chishti had told them: “You know this is the only way to expel the Christians from this area.”
The investigator said the cleric had been arrested at his home on Saturday under Pakistan’s blasphemy law.
“By putting these pages in the ashes he also committed desecration of the Holy Koran and he is being charged with blasphemy,” he said.
The girl’s lawyer told AFP news agency that Rimsha “should be acquitted immediately”, as it had been “fully proven that it was a conspiracy”.
Pakistan has a thriving independent media and independent judiciary, not a common thing in third world. Pakistani society is trying to move in the right direction, although we have some serious hurdles here.
More witnesses turn up against the stupid Cleric. Good sign for the society
What shape this case takes is a matter of courts. But please verify your sources before opining on anything.
This picture that you are showing here is not of Rimsha, Its a picture of a school girl studying in a temporary primary school in Balakot – a city almost completely destroyed by the October 2005 earthquake. It was taken by Maciej Dakowicz on April 7, 2006 in Balakot, KPK, Pakistan.
Funny how media twists facts for its own gains. After all credibility is important, or is it not?
Here is the actual source of photo:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/maciejdakowicz/157077851/in/set-72157594231583036/
[Thanks for the corrections.--editor]