Christian held for blasphemy ‘commits suicide’

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009/09/16/story_16-9-2009_pg1_4 ^

[milestogo]

Christian held for blasphemy ‘commits suicide’

LAHORE: Fanish Masih, a Christian youth who was imprisoned in Sialkot for allegedly desecrating the holy Quran last Saturday, committed suicide on Tuesday, police said. However, rights activists and the victim’s family believe he was tortured to death.

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Christian held for blasphemy ‘commits suicide’ * Provincial minority affairs minister says body bore torture marks * Asma Jahangir blames police for Fanish Masih’s death LAHORE: A 25-year-old Christian accused of blasphemy died in a prison early on Tuesday, officials said, with rights activists saying they suspected he was tortured, AFP reported. About 100 people, mostly youths, attacked a Catholic church in the Sambrial district near the Indian border on Friday after accusing the man, Fanish Masih, of desecrating the holy Quran, police said. Masih was arrested and a case of blasphemy registered against him. “Masih, being accused of blasphemy, was put in a separate cell where he committed suicide by using a string,” Sialkot District Jail Superintendent Farooq Lodhi said. Torture marks: Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Kamran Michael said the police had not handled the case properly. “I have seen the body and there were torture marks on it,” the minister said. Responsibility: “This is death in custody and the police authorities are responsible,” said Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Chairwoman Asma Jahangir. Meanwhile, a private TV channel reported that Masih’s family had claimed that he was tortured to death by the jail staff. Local Christians snatched the body from the police and shifted it to a private hospital for an autopsy, the channel reported. It said the police inspector general had constituted an inquiry committee to probe the death. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the commission demanded registration of a murder case against police officials concerned. NCJP Chairman Archbishop Lawrence John Saldanha and Executive Secretary Peter Jacob also urged all sections of the society to realise the danger of the blasphemy laws and said they (laws) had proven to be a very expensive for religious minorities, as the laws were being misused. Minority rights activist Nadeem Anthony said the frequent attacks on minorities, especially Christians, had developed a sense of insecurity among the non-Muslims in the country. afp/staff report/ daily times monitor

[HiTech RedNeck]

I smell 100% bull in both “desecration” and “suicide”

[Eagles6]

Cut his own head off?

[indcons]

Pinging Paki lobbyist TBP so that he can defend this barbarism

[MarkT]

Right. I’ve lived down South for 60+ years and back in the 40’s, 50’s and even into the early 60’s, there was a phenomenon wherein some Negroes would commit suicide by shooting themselves and then hanging themselves. “Yup, Sheriff, sounds like dis Fanish boy just up and done himsef in - terrible waste of the extra bullets, though.”

[ErnBatavia]

Off topic, but an appropriate old racist joke punchline: “Just like ‘em....steal more chain than they could swim with”.

[GreenLanternCorps]

I'm still trying to decide if he committed suicide, or was shot trying to escape...

[TBP]

What would ever make you think I’d defend this? Arresting people and holding them for “blasphemy” is a crime itself. It is theocracy, whaich anyone of good will opposes whether it’s Muslim theocracy or Hindu theocracy or atheist theocracy (whcih some liberals apparently hope to establish here in America.)

The India Lobby here will gladly excuse Hindu tehocracy, even while condemonin others who do teh same thing.

[TBP]

Imagine how the liberals who defend this would react if someone were held for beign critical of some interpretation of teh Bible.

[TBP]

“Desecrating” the Koran? How does simply not acting in accord with the most militant fundamentalist interpretation “desecrate” it? And how can anyone be held for “desecrating” any scripture, whether it’s the Bible, the Koran, the Bhagavad Gita, or any other?

[indcons]

It’s true, isn’t it?

And, look who’s talking - you don’t mind blaming Indians for all attacks incl. the Mumbai one (in which my sister was a victim). This despite the fact that the Paki govt. agrees that all terrorists came out of their country.

If you continue smearing and leveling baseless allegations, don’t expect others to keep quiet on a public forum, Tim.

You keep blaming innocent victims and I’ll keep pointing out how you are a paid Paki whore. Good enough?

[TBP]

No, it is NOT true, and you know it.

[indcons]

What is not true?

The fact that you’re a mercenary Paki stooge/lobbyist is not up for debate.

[TBP]

The fact that you’re a mercenary Paki stooge/lobbyist is not up for debate.

[TBP]

The fact that you’re a mercenary Paki stooge/lobbyist is not up for debate.

That is NOT true,and you know it. But you have nothing of substance to say, so you fall back on this smear.

[indcons]

LOL - the dog that yelps is the one that has been hit.

Now, to exhibit my widely-traveled background:

Apologies for using the word “dog” in the previous sentence - I understand that the Prophet (Piss be upon him) has mandated this noble animal as “haram” for your masters.