Pakistani prosecutor suspended for offering acquittal to Christians in exchange for conversion

A Pakistani prosecutor has been suspended for offering acquittal to 42 jailed Christians in exchange for their conversion to Islam.

The Christians are currently on trial for lynching two Muslims during the violent protests that erupted after the bombings of two churches in the Christian neighborhood of Youhanabad, Lahore. The two Muslims were suspected of being involved in the blasts that occurred in March 2015.

Deputy district public prosecutor (DDPP) Syed Anees Shah was removed from the case after he told the Christian prisoners last week that he could "guarantee their acquittal" if they become Muslims.

Shah initially denied making the proposal to the accused Christians, but he later admitted to offering "them a choice" after he was informed that there is a video recording of what he said.

Rights activists Joseph Franci said that the Christians were dumbfounded by the offer, and one of them reportedly said that he was ready to be hanged if he embraced Islam.

Naseeb Anjum, who is serving as counsel for some of the accused, noted that the prosecutor made a similar offer to the Christians six months ago, but it was ignored.

Aftab Gill, the information secretary of the Christian, Masiha Millat Party, confirmed that the Punjab law office has removed Shah from the case.

"We welcome the Punjab government's decision to remove Shah after his controversial offer," Gill said, as reported by UCA News. "We are planning to file a formal application for his dismissal from his job," he added.

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association, also welcomed the news about Shah's suspension.

"It is heartening to see that action has been taken by the Anti-Terrorism Court in suspending Mr Anees Shah, but quite frankly the whole debacle has only served to highlight ongoing prejudice in the Judicial system," he said.

"Mr Shah's action implies that being Muslim places any citizen above the rule of law, a damning indictment of governance within the nation," he continued.

Rev. Arshad Ashknaz of Christ Church, one of the churches attacked in Youhanabad, asserted that Shah can be sued for his action and said that he has plans to meet with the suspended prosecutor soon.

More than 500 Christians were arrested for the lynching of the two Muslims, but most of them were acquitted after spending a year and six months in prison. At least 14 people were killed, and nearly 80 were injured by the church blasts in 2015.