Pakistani Christian woman Asia Bibi will be given a final chance to appeal her death sentence for blasphemy charges in court on Thursday (16 October).
While the mother of five's lawyers are preparing the final defence statement, doubt remains whether the hearing will proceed, after her previous five appeal dates were all postponed last minute.
Persecution watchdog group, Voice of the Martyrs, suspects the delay is because no judge wants to hear the case, fearing the fallout from the ruling - worldwide condemnation if the conviction is upheld, or a revolt by radical Muslims if Bibi was to walk free.
A lawyer representing the Christian mother told Fides News Agency an acquittal was expected should a fair trial be given.
"We will try to demonstrate the existence of a conspiracy against this woman, who has endured many challenges during the process and paid, so far, a very high price," Naeem Shakir said.
"This will happen if the Court's decision is based on the principles established in the criminal justice system and whether or not it will be influenced by the pressures of sectarian groups and extremists."
Bibi has been imprisoned since early 2010 after she was arrested over a heated row with Muslims colleagues in 2009.
She was soon sentenced to death for blasphemy, which despite being a serious crime in the Muslim-majority Pakistan, are charges often trumped up as a means of settling personal scores or vendettas.
The appeal will be heard at the Lahore High Court in the country's capital.
