Elderly Christian acquitted of blasphemy after 23 years on death row

In good news from Pakistan, an elderly Christian is due to be released from prison after being acquitted of blasphemy.

After 23 years on death row, a 72-year-old Christian in Pakistan has been acquitted of blasphemy by the Supreme Court and is due to be released this week. However, the decision has been met with anger by Islamist activists.

What was Anwar accused of?

Anwar Kenneth, a Catholic, was arrested in 2001 for sending letters deemed blasphemous towards Islam’s Prophet Mohammad and the Quran. He was charged under Section 295-C of Pakistan’s blasphemy law, which carries a mandatory death sentence.

In July 2002, a Lahore court sentenced him to death after he pleaded guilty, declaring, “God is my counsel.”

“My brother was a Bible scholar and often engaged in scholastic discussions with his Muslim friends and religious leaders,” said Reshma Bibi, Anwar’s 83-year-old sister, in emotional interviews with the media last year. “He communicated his religious ideas through letter writing, but was never disrespectful… It was one of these letters that was used to silence him.”

Anger in courtroom

Last week, Anwar’s case was heard by the Supreme Court, with three judges declaring ‘a person of unsound mind could not be held liable for such a crime’. Afterwards, defence counsel Rana Abdul Hameed told reporters, “It is very unfortunate that an elderly man has languished in various prisons for over two decades despite his mental health condition.”

During the hearing last week, there was intense pressure from Islamic legal groups, including the Khatm-e-Nabbuwat (Finality of Prophethood) Lawyers Forum. The Khatm-e-Nabbuwat group demand strict enforcement of blasphemy law and believe Mohammad was Islam’s final prophet. 

“These lawyers and clerics caused a ruckus as soon as the judges announced the acquittal,” Hameed said. “Kenneth’s acquittal is a big setback to them; it will have an impact on all blasphemy cases of similar nature.”

• Why is Pakistan eighth on the World Watch List?

A weapon of persecution

“Pakistan’s blasphemy laws have for years been weapons of persecution,” said Thomas Mueller*, an Open Doors analyst. “At present, we’re witnessing a surge in mob violence in which mere rumour incites deadly attacks. A staggering 344 new blasphemy cases were recorded in 2024 alone – a revealing high, suggesting these laws are being weaponised. Frequently, lower courts do next to nothing to properly investigate cases, let alone uphold the rule of law.”

The case highlights broader concerns around Pakistan’s treatment of blasphemy defendants who suffer with mental health issues. “The Supreme Court’s decision… will help highlight the plight of dozens of other blasphemy prisoners suffering from mental health challenges, yet their cases have been pending for years,” said Hameed.

*Name changed for security reasons