Asia Bibi latest: Christian who spent years on death row for blasphemy leaves Pakistan for safety of Canada

Asia Bibi was put on death row in 2010
AFP/Getty Images
Jacob Jarvis8 May 2019

Asia Bibi, the Christian woman who spent years on death row in Pakistan after being convicted of blasphemy, has left the country to take refuge in Canada.

Her lawyer confirmed today that she had left Pakistan over 24 hours ago.

"I have enquired within available channels and according to them she has left for Canada," Saif Ul Malook said.

She was sentenced to death in Pakistan but was acquitted last year when her conviction was overturned by the Supreme Court.

Asia Bibi is said to have left for Canada
EPA

In 2010 she was convicted after being accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad in a row with her neighbours.

This dated back to an incident in 2009, when she went to fetch water for herself and fellow farm workers.

Two Muslim women refused to drink from the same container as Ms Bibi, who is Roman Catholic, and an argument ensued.

Asia Bibi spent eight years on death row
EPA

The women later said Ms Bibi had insulted the Prophet Muhammad.

Following this she was charged with blasphemy and spent eight years on death row.

Pakistan’s Supreme Court judges acquitted the mother-of-five of the blasphemy charges.

There were protests in Pakistan following the Supreme Court's decision to acquit Asia Bibi
AFP/Getty Images

After this, there were protests on the streets of Pakistan.

Some also called for Ms Bibi, who had been staying at an undisclosed location under tight security, to be killed.

This led to fears for her safety and that of her family following her release.

There has previously been calls for her to be offered asylum in the UK, with thousands signing petitions urging the Government to offer her sanctuary.

In November, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his country was in talks with Pakistan about helping Ms Bibi.

Pakistan's foreign ministry has not commented on the situation.

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