DESPERATE PLEA

Husband of Freed Pakistani Christian Woman Asks Trump for Help

After Aasia Bibi’s acquittal on blasphemy charges sparked violence and death threats from hard-line Islamists.

The husband of a Pakistani Christian woman freed after spending eight years on death row is asking President Trump to help get her out of the country amid threats and violence from angry mobs of hard-line Islamists. Aasia Bibi’s acquittal last week sparked widespread protests throughout Pakistan, with members of the ultra-right Tehreek-e-Labaik party blocking major roads and demanding Bibi’s execution. Bibi was convicted of blasphemy in 2010 for supposedly insulting the prophet Muhammad during an argument with neighbors. She was sentenced to death before the Supreme Court acquitted her last week. In the aftermath of her acquittal, Pakistani police say more than 150 people have been arrested for arson, vandalism, and violence, and her lawyer, Saiful Mulook, fled the country after threats from an “angry mob.” Ashiq Masih, Bibi’s husband, has recorded a video address appealing to Trump to “help us exit from Pakistan,” according to Reuters. Masih also appealed to the leaders of Canada and the United Kingdom. All have yet to respond to Bibi's requests.

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Pakistan’s Supreme Court Acquits Christian Mom on Death Row