CHRISTIAN BREAKING NEWS: Catholic Jailed on Blasphemy Accusations for Stepping onto Papers, Allegedly Pages of Quran in Lahore, Pakistan
CHRISTIAN BREAKING NEWS: Catholic Jailed on Blasphemy Accusations for Stepping onto Papers, Allegedly Pages of Quran in Lahore, Pakistan
A Catholic has been jailed on blasphemy accusations in Lahore, Pakistan, since April 27 for mistakenly stepping out of his rickshaw onto some papers allegedly pages of the Quran, according to sources.
Dennis Albert, a 35-year-old rickshaw driver, was charged with blasphemy under 2 sections of Pakistani law: Section 295-A, which has a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail (for hurting religious sentiments), and Section 295-B, which mandates life in prison (for defiling the Quran).
Shadman Police in Lahore arrested him after receiving a complaint from Mubeen Ilyas, a Muslim passerby who alleged to have seen Albert standing barefoot on some pages near a rickshaw and found that they were Islamic scriptures after attentively inspecting them.
Albert’s brother, Imran Albert, stated that the accused had dropped a passenger on Jail Road and was waiting for a new customer.
Dennis Albert was simply covering his feet from the heat of the road, he explained.
In Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, intent must be proven for conviction.
Imran Albert said that Ilyas and other Muslims assaulted him even as he pleaded his innocence.
“Dennis has studied till 10th grade, but he had no clue that the pages he was standing on had religious value. He’s a simple rickshaw driver earning an honorable livelihood for himself. He did not have any intention of hurting religious sentiments of any person or community.”
– Imran Albert, Brother of Dennis Albert
Imran Albert claimed that by the time he arrived at the police station, his brother had already been jailed.
Dennis Albert’s attorney, Asad Jamal, stated that the police had not yet submitted a charge sheet against the impoverished rickshaw driver.
“The charges are ridiculous to say the least.”
– Jamal, Attorney of Dennis Albert nominated by Cecil and Iris Foundation, Christian advocacy group located in Lahore, to defend Dennis Albert
According to Jamal, rickshaw drivers in Lahore frequently remove their shoes while driving their vehicles owing to the sweltering heat.
He went on to say that it is probable that some Quranic pages ended out on the roadside from baskets that are usually placed on streets to protect scriptures.
“There’s nothing that proves that Dennis has committed the act intentionally. It seems that some individuals and groups have launched a campaign to target innocent people with blasphemy charges.”
– Jamal, Attorney of Dennis Albert to Christian Daily International-Morning Star News
Imran Albert stated that during a recent meeting with his brother in jail, Dennis Albert urged he stop defending him.
“He’s losing hope for his freedom. “He’s being kept in a special barrack reserved for blasphemy accused, and it seems after hearing their stories of prolonged imprisonment, Dennis has started thinking that the effort is futile.”
“I keep encouraging him not to give up and remain steadfast in his faith. I understand that it is not easy, but I believe God will make a way for my brother and he’ll be free from the false accusation.”
– Imran Albert, Brother of Dennis Albert
NEWS SOURCE & LINKS:
Christian Daily International–Morning Star News
CATHOLIC JAILED BLASPHEMY ACCUSATIONS Stepping onto Papers Allegedly Pages of Quran Lahore, Pakistan | Christian Breaking News!