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These Islamists had participated in violent protests in November 2018 that followed the announcement of the acquittal of Asia Bibi, a Christian accused of blasphemy.
With our correspondent in Kabul, Sonia Ghezali
The ax fell, it was the end of a trial which lasted a year. The 86 demonstrators received 55 years in prison each. The punishment is heavy, it aims to be exemplary against members of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a radical Islamist party. He is behind the monster protests that paralyzed the country for three days in response to the acquittal of Asia Bibi.
The mother, a Christian, was accused of making offensive remarks about the prophet during an argument over a glass of water with neighbors in her village. Protesters demanded the hanging by death of Asia Bibi , who is now a refugee in Canada.
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" Parody of Justice "
The mother spent eight years on death row before being acquitted . The court ruling had raised outrage at radical Islamists from the TLP who had threatened the Prime Minister, the President of the Supreme Court and the head of the military, calling for mutinies. Party leader Khadim Hussain Rizvi was arrested in the wake of the protests, then released six months later to calm the spirits.
The lawyer for the 86 demonstrators denounces a “ travesty of justice ” and announced that his clients will appeal. Blasphemy is an extremely sensitive subject in Pakistan where simple allegations lead to death sentences or lynchings.