Pakistan: Christian Acquitted after 23 Years on Death Row for 'Blasphemy'

Christian Daily International-Morning Star News : Jun 26, 2025
Morning Star News

"The Supreme Court's decision to acquit him in view of his mental illness, though after a prolonged delay, will help in highlighting the plight of dozens of other blasphemy prisoners who are also suffering from mental health challenges, yet their cases have been pending for years." -Supreme Court attorney Rana Abdul Hameed

(Lahore, Pakistan) — [Morning Star News] The Supreme Court of Pakistan [Wednesday, June 25] ordered the acquittal of an elderly Christian on death row for 23 years on a blasphemy conviction, declaring that a person of unsound mind could not be held liable for such a crime, his lawyer said. (Image: iStock-ericsphotography)

Supreme Court attorney Rana Abdul Hameed said that a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court comprising Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Shahzad Ahmed Khan and Justice Irfan Saadat Khan acquitted Anwar Kenneth, a 72-year-old Catholic, of the blasphemy allegations.

"It is very unfortunate that an elderly man has languished in various prisons for over two decades despite his mental health condition," Hameed, a Muslim, told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. "The Supreme Court's decision to acquit him in view of his mental illness, though after a prolonged delay, will help in highlighting the plight of dozens of other blasphemy prisoners who are also suffering from mental health challenges, yet their cases have been pending for years."

Hameed lauded the Supreme Court judges for making the right decision despite pressure from lawyers affiliated with various Islamist groups, including the Khatm-e-Nabbuwat (Finality of Prophethood) Lawyers Forum.

"These lawyers and clerics caused a ruckus in the courtroom as soon as the judges announced the acquittal order," Hameed said. "Kenneth's acquittal is a big setback to them, as it will have an impact on all blasphemy cases of similar nature."... Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

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