Police escort blindfolded Muslim cleric Khalid Jadoon as he is brought before a judge at a court in Islamabad September 2, 2012. Pakistani authorities have arrested Jadoon on suspicion of framing Christian girl Rimsha Masih who was arrested under the country’s controversial anti-blasphemy law, a police official said on Sunday. REUTERS/Faisal Mahmood
A Pakistani court dismissed on Tuesday a blasphemy case against a Christian girl which had drawn international condemnation and concern about the rights of religious minorities in the predominantly Muslim country.
Rimsha Masih, believed to be no older than 14, was charged with burning pages of the Koran in August but was granted bail in September after a cleric was detained on suspicion of planting evidence to stir up resentment against Christians.
Masih’s lawyer, Tahir Naveed, said the Islamabad High Court’s decision to throw out the case was based on the fact that no one had seen her burning pages of the Koran.
The case provoked international concern and she could, in theory, have faced execution under Pakistan’s blasphemy law despite her age and reported mental problems.
