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Pakistan 'Koran plot' imam remanded in blasphemy case | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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". |