Pakistani faces danger after blasphemy sentence

Reuters:

A Pakistani man sentenced to life imprisonment for blasphemy is being kept in solitary confinement because of fears other inmates will harm him for insulting Islam, police said on Tuesday.

Mohammad Younus Sheikh was found guilty last week of writing and distributing books containing blasphemous and sacrilegious material.

"In Pakistan, insulting Islam or Islamic teachings is a very sensitive matter and people try to take the law into their own hands," said investigating police officer Mohammad Younis.

Other inmates had already picked fights with Sheikh, 40, and he was being kept in a separate cell.

"We told him he can't mix with other prisoners and say anything about his books," Younis said.

Sheikh, a restaurant worker, was arrested in February after a complaint from a religious organisation over a book he had written.

Blasphemy cases are relatively common in predominantly Muslim Pakistan.

Human rights groups say anti-blasphemy laws need to be struck off the books as they are often abused to settle personal disputes or religious rivalry, and are often used unfairly against religious minorities.

Younis said some clerics had already issues fatwas, or edicts, declaring that Sheikh was liable to be killed for insulting Islam.

Sheikh had memorised the Koran and done some research work on Islamic teachings after coming under the influence of a cleric, Younis said.

Violence against the mentally disabled accused of blasphemy

JAILED PAKISTANI CHRISTIAN RELEASED ON BAIL

Christian beaten to death in hospital by Muslim cop

Second Pakistani Christian Tortured to Death by Police

Pakistan: Court gives life term to blasphemy author

Pakistan: Christian jailed on dubious blasphemy charge

Pakistan mob kills 'blasphemer'