Pakistani prosecutor offers acquittal to accused Christians if they convert to Islam

A court prosecutor in Pakistan has allegedly offered to acquit 42 Christians accused of lynching two Muslims if they convert to Islam.

The Christians have been charged with the murder of the two Muslims following the suicide blasts that targeted two churches in the Christian neighborhood of Youhanabad, Lahore in March 2015. The two Muslims, who were suspected of being involved in the blasts, were lynched during the violent protests that erupted after the bombing incidents.

Rights activist Joseph Franci, who is providing legal assistance to the 42 Christians, told The Express Tribune that Deputy District Public Prosecutor Syed Anees Shah guaranteed to acquit the group if they renounce their faith and embrace Islam.

Franci said that the accused remained silent and were dumbfounded by the offer. One of the Christians reportedly said that he was ready to be hanged if he embraced Islam.

Naseeb Anjum, who is representing some of the accused, said that Shah had made a similar offer six months ago, but it was ignored by his clients.

"They [lawyers] believe in independence of the court, but why is the DDPP blackmailing them?" Anjum told The Express Tribune.

"The government should get rid of such elements that bring bad name to the state by such acts," he added.

Shah initially denied the accusation, but he conceded that he offered the Christians a choice when he was informed that the accused have a video recording of what he said.

As many as 14 people were killed, and almost 80 were injured in the bombings of the two churches in Youhanabad. Over 500 Christians were arrested in the lynching, but most of them were acquitted after spending a year and six months in prison.

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association, said that the offer to the Christians is proof that the judiciary in Pakistan is not independent and unbiased.

"The fact that Christian men could be spared a death penalty by simply renouncing their Christian faith and accepting Islam is a clear indication that either extremists have infiltrated the Justice system of Pakistan, or that the nation is full of zealots that will stop at nothing to convert 'kaffir' (infidels)," he said.