Asia Bibi - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
In June 2009, Asia Noreen, a farm hand from the village of Ittan Wali in Sheikhupura District,[6] was asked to fetch water; she complied, but some of her Muslim fellow workers refused to drink the water as they considered Christians to be "unclean".[4] Apparently some arguments ensued.[7] There had already been a running feud between Noreen and a neighbour about some property damage.[1] Later some coworkers complained to a cleric that Noreen made derogatory comments about Prophet Muhammad. A mob came to her house, beating her and members of her family before she was rescued by the police.[4] However, the police initiated an investigation about her remarks, resulting in her arrest and prosecution under Section 295 C of the Pakistan Penal Code.[3] She spent more than a year in jail. In November 2010 Muhammed Naveed Iqbal, judge at the court of Sheikhupura, Punjab, sentenced her to death by hanging.[3] Additionally, a fine of an equivalent of $1,100 was imposed.[8]
Noreen's husband, Aashiq Fauji Masih, 51 years old,[9] plans to appeal the verdict, which has to be upheld by the Lahore High Court.[3]
