[ad_1]
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan – A Pakistani Christian woman who was cleared after spending four years on death in prison.
The woman, Asia Bibi, was released from a prison in central Pakistan and flown to the capital, Islamabad, late Wednesday night, a senior government official said on Thursday.
One official, however, denied news reports that Ms. Bibi had already flown out of Pakistan after her release.
"She is in Pakistan," said Mohammad Faisal, spokesman for Pakistan's foreign office.
Ms. Bibi's family has appealed for asylum, saying she is in serious danger as hard-line Islamists call for her execution. Her lawyer, Saiful Malook, has already left Pakistan, citing threats to his own life.
The Supreme Court acquitted Ms. Bibi on Oct. 31 in an exceptionally rare ruling against a blasphemy verdict. The three-member bench concluded that there was little evidence that Ms. Bibi, a farmworker and mother of three, had spoken to the Prophet Muhammad during a heated argument with Muslim women in 2009.
She was convicted and sentenced to death in 2010, a verdict that drew worldwide condemnation and focus attention on Pakistan's blasphemy law, which has been used to persecute religious minorities.
The Supreme Court's ruling last week clearing Ms. Bibi set off violent protests across the country that were spearheaded by Khadim Hussian Rizvi, a fiery religious cleric. Mr. Rizvi's supporters paralyzed large parts of the country for two days, blocked highways and damaged several dozen vehicles.
Ms. Bibi from leaving the country, the protests have been called by the government.
The Pakistani government has gone to the heart of the world as far as it is concerned. Officials have warned that Islamist leaders will be arrested if they plan more street protests over Ms. Bibi's fate.
Mr. Malook, Ms. Bibi's lawyer, said the government had assured him his client was safe.
"The Pakistani army is assured that it will remain safe, that it will not hurt, and that it should be safe."
