69-year-old Mohammad Asghar is physically and mentally frail. He was arrested under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws in 2010 and sentenced to death in January.
Mohammad was arrested for allegedly writing letters claiming he was a prophet. However, his lawyers maintain it was never established that he posted or even intended to post the letters.
He is both physically and mentally frail. He suffered a stroke in 2000 and has been diagnosed by an expert in Scotland as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. He attempted suicide in 2010.
His appeal has been lodged, but it could take up to five years to be heard. He remains in detention in Adiala jail, Rawalpindi.
Text ‘SAVE1’ and your full name now to 70505 to sign our petition to the Pakistani authorities. Over 14s only please.
OR
Write/Email/Fax the authorities in Pakistan, before 30 April 2014, at the following addresses:
- Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Room 404, 4th Floor, R Block, Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan. Fax: +92 51 920 2624. Email: ministry.interior@gmail.com. Salutation: Dear Minister Khan
- Chief Minister Punjab Mian Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif, Chief Minister’s Office, 7 Club Road, GOR I Lahore, Pakistan. Fax: +92 42 9920 3310. Salutation: Dear Chief Minister Sharif
- Minister of Law, Justice and Human Rights Pervaiz Rashid, Room 305, S Block, Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan. Fax: +92 51 921 0062. Email: contact@molaw.gov.pk
Sample letter:
I am writing to call on your to immediately and unconditionally drop all charges against Mohammad Asghar, and that he has immediate access to appropriate medical and/or psychiatric treatment. I also ask that you provide his lawyers with all medical records made during his detention.
Mohammed Asghar’s lawyers maintain that it has never been established that Asghar posted, or even intended to post, letters claiming he was a prophet. In addition he is mentally frail and an expert in Scotland has diagnosed him as suffering from paranoid schizophrenia. The charges against him should be dropped.
Amnesty International Taunton Local Group 