Judges are scheduled today to hear final arguments in the appeal of Younis Masih, a Punjab father-of-four sentenced to death for blasphemy. Younis, who had a serious heart attack last month (Prayer Alert, January 8), was arrested in 2005 after complaining about noise levels at a local Islamic ceremony. Defence lawyers from our partners' legal team presented final arguments yesterday; the prosecution is due to offer counter arguments today.
A further hearing in the blasphemy trial of Martha Bibi is also due at the same High Court today, with our partners presenting her defence. Martha, a mother-of-six from Punjab, was charged in January 2007 after a dispute over equipment with local builders (Prayer Alert, February 12). She has been on bail since 2007 and her trial is said to be in its final stages.
Release partners are also involved in supporting two other Christians accused of blasphemy, Zaffar Bhatti and Ghazala Khan; a bail hearing for Ghazala is scheduled to be heard by High Court judges today.