On death row: Joseph Colony blasphemy convict files appeal

LAHORE:

Blasphemy convict Sawan Masih on Tuesday filed an appeal before the Lahore High Court challenging the death sentence awarded to him by the sessions court.

The appeal casts doubts on the police investigation and prosecution officers. He says the police registered the case 35 hours after the incident took place.

This shows mala fide. It also points to contradictions in the FIR and the complainant’s testimony before the trial court.

Sawan Masih says that the blasphemy charges “were fabricated by the elements who wanted to occupy the property of Joseph Colony”.

His counsel said that the trial court had ignored Sawan Masih’s statement under Section 342 of the Criminal Code of Procedure wherein he had said, “I have deep respect for the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). My own faith does not allow me to insult any prophet.

No such incident took place.

I have been implicated in a totally false case due to a conspiracy and the complainant has been used as a tool.

I cannot think of uttering any word that may cause disrespect of the prophet. I am innocent.

This case is false and concocted due to ulterior motives. I hold the prophet in high esteem and can neither think nor dare to say anything against him”. He requested the court to set aside the trial court’s judgment sentencing him to death. The appeal might not be heard until 2016 due to a backlog of cases.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd, 2014.