MULTAN, Pakistan: Police in Pakistan say over 150 people have been arrested on charges of arson, vandalism and violence during the protests that erupted after a Christian woman was acquitted of blasphemy charges that carried the death penalty.
Senior police officer Nayab Haider said Sunday that police were using video clips to identify others involved in assaults, torching property and vehicles, and blocking highways.
Pakistan’s top court acquitted Asia Bibi on Wednesday in a move that infuriated hard-line Islamists, who held three days of nationwide protests demanding her execution. The Islamists ended the protests after the government agreed to impose a travel ban on Bibi and to allow her case to be reviewed.
Insulting Islam is punishable by death in Pakistan, and the mere rumor of doing so can incite lynchings.
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Pakistan arrests 150 over violence at blasphemy protests
Pakistan arrests 150 over violence at blasphemy protests
- Pakistan’s top court acquitted Asia Bibi on Wednesday in a move that infuriated hard-line Islamists
- Protests died down after the government agreed to impose a travel ban on Bibi
China says opposes foreign ‘interference’ in Iran, calls for ‘peace’
BEIJING: China said on Monday it opposes foreign “interference” in other countries after US President Donald Trump threatened to intervene militarily if Tehran killed protesters.
“We always oppose interference in other countries’ internal affairs,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular news conference when asked about Trump’s comments.
“We call on all parties to do more things conducive to peace and stability in the Middle East,” she added.
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