Lawyer of Asia Bibi flees Pakistan in fear for his life

From the London Evening Standard

The lawyer who represented a Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy after eight years on death row in Pakistan has fled the country in fear for his life.

Saif Mulook said he had to leave so he could continue to represent Asia Bibi, whose conviction was overturned by judges on Wednesday. Mr Mulook told the BBC earlier this week she would need to move to a Western country for her own safety. 

Several countries have offered her asylum however Pakistan’s government has capitulated after days of protests by hardline Islamists and blocked her from leaving the country.

Pakistani Islamists struck a deal with the government that Asia Bibi must not leave Pakistan until the  Supreme Court’s ruling is reviewed. Religious Affairs Minister Noorul Haq Qadri announced that authorities will now not allow Bibi to leave the country until the Supreme Court makes a final review of its verdict. A petition had already been filed for the review.