A gifted scholar was arrested for Blasphemy in Pakistan and spent six years in jail awaiting trial. His first attorney was threatened in open court by the prosecutor, saying he would not live for the next hearing. Shortly, thereafter, an assassin entered his office and killed him. Following the murder, getting a new attorney to take the case was difficult, and getting a judge to hear the case ... Continue Reading>>
Dr. Hasan Arif, 70-year-old Retired Philosophy Professor, Detained in Pakistan
Dr. Hasan Zafar Arif has been detained in Pakistan for allegedly "inciting public disorder". He has not had legal representation or medical care since his arrest at the Karachi Press Club in October 2016. Dr. Arif has a heart condition, and his health is at risk. ... Continue Reading>>
Lecturer and Fulbright Scholar in Pakistan Charged with Blasphemy, Lawyer Murdered
Junaid Hafeez, a lecturer of English Literature at Bahauddin Zakariya University, respected writer and scholar, has been jailed for the past three years and charged with blasphemy. The charge carries the possibility of a death sentence. During the trial his attorney was threatened by the prosecutor in open court; and was actually murdered. Hafeez’ new lawyer has requested the trial be moved to a ... Continue Reading>>
CCS Calls for Immediate Investigation of Assassination of Counsel in Blasphemy Case
After repeated threats called to the attention of Pakistani authorities, attorney and human rights advocate Rashid Rehman was assassinated on May 7, 2014. Rehman was defense counsel for Junaid Hafeez, an adjunct lecturer at the Bahuddin Zakariya University, who had been detained on blasphemy charges for over a year. CCS called for immediate investigation of the unknown assailants and further ... Continue Reading>>