Pakistan (International Christian Concern) – The High Court of Lahore, in Pakistan, recently upheld the death sentences of two Christian brothers charged with blasphemy. In prison since 2011, the brothers were first arrested for allegedly publishing blasphemous material on the internet. A Muslim man had come across a blog hosting blasphemous materials and had reported the website to the police. One brother’s name, phone number, email address, and home address were all posted on the website, leading authorities straight to both Christians. The brothers were convicted in December 2018, and the appeal judgment upholding their death sentences was released this month on June 8.
The Christians’ convictions come despite the fact that no evidence exists that they are responsible for the website. As the lawyers of the European Center for Law and Justice (ECLJ) pointed out in the Christians’ defense, anyone can create a website. The Computer Crimes Department said that no information could be found about the author of the blog, but one of the brothers testified to his belief that some of his Muslim friends authored the website. According to the brother, just before the blog was published, the Christians had gotten into an argument with their Muslim friends. These friends may very well have created the website with the Christians’ contact information as retaliation. Despite the dearth of hard evidence in any direction, the courts in Pakistan sentenced the brothers to death.
The unjust persecution of Christians via Pakistan’s blasphemy laws is a worsening phenomenon. The accused face imprisonment, and as in this case, death, with little to no evidence or due process. The legal battle is not over for these two Christian brothers, though. The ECLJ is preparing to appeal the case to the Supreme Court of Pakistan. We pray for their success and the vindication of these Christians before the law. We also pray that they would be at peace through this tribulation.
This article originally appeared here.