Husband seeks protection from Asia Bibi as demonstrations erupt in Pakistan

The husband of a Pakistani Christian at the center of a controversial blasphemy case was criticized on Saturday.

Asia Bibi, sentenced to death since 2010 on charges of blasphemy, was acquitted on Wednesday by the Supreme Court and sentenced to release, prompting protests from the government. Ultra-conservative Islamists who paralyzed Pakistan for three days

The government reached an agreement Friday to end the protests by accepting a ban on travel preventing Bibi from leaving the country and stating that it was not It would not oppose extremist movements appealing the verdict.

An appeal was lodged with the court.

"It is wrong to set a precedent that puts pressure on the judiciary," said Ashiq Masih, husband of Bibi, on German radio Deutsche Welle.

Blasphemy is an extremely inflammatory charge in Muslim-majority Pakistan, where even unproven allegations of insult to Islam and its Prophet Muhammad can provoke attacks and murders in the hands of self-defenders.

Masih said the court had been "very brave" to acquit his wife, an illiterate mother aged 50 and whose case had started in 2009 while she was working in the fields.

Citing religious reasons, two Muslim women of the time refused to do so. a glbad of water with her and a fight broke out.

A few days later, the two men reported the incident to a local imam, who had claimed that Bibi had insulted the prophet, an accusation that she denies.

"The current situation is very dangerous for us, we have no security and we are hiding here and there, frequently changing location," said Masih.

Bibi fled Pakistan Saturday, fearing for his life

Masih asked the government to strengthen Bibi's protection in prison, fearing attack, and cited the case of two Christians who were shot dead after 39, a court acquitted them in another case of blasphemy.

"The situation is dangerous for Asia. I think his life is not safe, "he said." I therefore call on the government to strengthen the security of Asia in prison. "

(With the exception of the title, this story has not been altered by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)