{"id":21,"date":"2021-07-11T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-10T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.britishasianchristians.org\/full-previous-archive\/2021\/07\/11\/christian-man-pakistans-longest-serving-blasphemy-convict-ever-has-his-appeal-refused\/"},"modified":"2021-07-11T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2021-07-10T23:00:00","slug":"christian-man-pakistans-longest-serving-blasphemy-convict-ever-has-his-appeal-refused","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.britishasianchristians.org\/full-previous-archive\/christian-man-pakistans-longest-serving-blasphemy-convict-ever-has-his-appeal-refused\/","title":{"rendered":"Christian man: Pakistan's longest serving blasphemy convict ever has his appeal refused!"},"content":{"rendered":"

Nawab Bibi with our British Asian Christian Association field worker outside Adiala Jail.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The plight of an elderly Blasphemy victim whose farcical charges for blasphemy should never have stood has been exacerbated by yet another refusal
\n of his appeal.<\/p>\n

The conviction for Zafar Bhatti (58 yrs) is based on a Muslim witness testimony who was not present at the time of the blasphemy.  Moreover the
\n phone and SIM from which blasphemous texts appeared where not even from the phone of Zafar Bhatti. Furthermore he is illiterate and could not have
\n texted in English the language used for the blasphemous texts. Mr Bhatti has lost 9 years of his life to a cruel and undeserved punishment and finds
\n himself looking at being detained for more time yet.<\/p>\n

Zafar Bhatti has been living in isolated confinement within the decrepit Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi  and is now exhibiting poor physical and mental
\n health.<\/p>\n

Despite serious health issues, Zafar Bhatti has previously not been granted bail though the constitution of Pakistan allows it. A serious attempt
\n was made to gain bail for Zafar on medical grounds for several years, his condition was ignored by the court, whereas bail has been granted to Muslims
\n who have committed more heinous crimes.  Instead the Judge asked the solicitor team to apply for an appeal that was due to Zafar Bhatti.<\/p>\n

However, In a special court hearing at Adiala Jail on Monday 28th June, Judge Sahibzada Naqeeb Shezad denied Mr Bhatti his appeal but also quoshed
\n an application by the complainant counsel to impose a death sentence on Zafar Bhatti.  So for now Mr Bhatti will continue with his life sentence.<\/p>\n

Refusal of bail flies in the face of a lot of progress made during the appeal process for Mr Bhatti.  In fact on 22nd April 2021, The Additional
\n Sessions Judge at Rawalpindi District Court, ordered the Police Department of New Town Rawalpindi to submit  a sonographic test report of the
\n voices used for the sim activation of the culprit phone, against the voice of Mr Bhatti recorded in the presence of the Magistrate. The recordings
\n were submitted to the Cyber Crime Wing of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) who concluded that there was no match.  <\/p>\n

One positive outcome to share with you is that Mr Bhatti, whose sight had been diminshing and who bleeding eyes has undergone surgery. Doctors have
\n said that severe diabetes and high blood pressure had contributed to the condition but after the medical procedure undertaken on Friday 9th July Mr
\n Bhatti's eyesight is recovering slowly.  <\/p>\n

Mr Bhatti will also be undergoing heart surgery for coronary artery disease on 17th July and he is calling for prayer for a successful opperation.<\/p>\n

Today on 15th July our Operations Manager and field officer met with Zafar Bhatti and shared prayers and fellowship with him.  They have discussed
\n the ongoing legal matter and it is believed that a further application is being made bail.  If this does not result in freedom for Zafar Bhatti
\n within a month he has agreed to allow British Asian Christian Association to take over hus case.  Please pray for the success of the bail application
\n for Zafar Bhatti whichever means it is gained through.<\/p>\n