ICC Note: A Christian youth and his cousin in Pakistan were reportedly tortured by security authorities after they were accused of committing blasphemy. As a result of this torture, Sajid Masih attempted to commit suicide by jumping from the fourth floor of the Punjab headquarters of the Federal Investigation Agency. False accusations of blasphemy are common in Pakistan with many accusations motivated by personal vendettas or religious hatred.

02/26/2018 Pakistan (UCAN) – A Christian youth is in critical condition after he attempted suicide while being investigated for a blasphemy case in a village neighboring Lahore, the capital city of the Pakistani province of Punjab.

The man claims he was being punished for an act committed by his cousin and that security authorities had ordered the two men to engage in a homosexual act as they attempted to force confessions from them both. Critics say police duress in such cases is common in Pakistan.

Sajid Masih, 24, jumped from the fourth floor of the Punjab headquarters building of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Feb. 23 while he was being interrogated with his cousin.

The cousin, Patras Masih, 18, was arrested on Feb. 19 for allegedly posting an insulting photo of the burial place of the Prophet Muhammad on a Facebook account.

The families of the accused, along with hundreds of Christian villagers from Shahdara town, reportedly fled their homes last week fearing reprisals and mob attacks.

Masih is being treated at Lahore’s Mayo Hospital under police guard. When a ucanews.com reporter attempted to meet and interview Masih he was denied access. Hospital authorities referred to Masih as “a criminal.”

However he was still able to post comments on social media.

“They called me to check my mobile. I was beaten and taken to a bathroom. I asked what was my mistake, and they replied that I was his cousin,” a severely injured Masih said in one video post he shared on social media.

“I was asked to damn myself by calling myself laanti (the damned). They forced me to call my cousin the same name. Later they asked me to pull his pants down and sodomize him. I refused,” he said in the post.

“Seeing their growing anger, I noticed an open window and decided to jump out of it. They found nothing [incriminating] on my mobile.”

The Catholic Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation (CICF) has called for an investigation into the “brutal treatment” meted by the FIA’s cybercrime wing. The two young men were handed over to the department on Feb. 22.

“We are outraged, shocked and horrified by the alleged behavior of the FIA officials. We demand that this incident be investigated at the earliest date and firm action be taken against those involved. These acts of brutality cannot not be overlooked,” CICF president Michelle Chaudhry said in a statement dated Feb. 25.

“A fair trial is every citizen’s right regardless of faith, caste or gender. This kind of extreme hostility and inhumane behavior during investigation is unacceptable and uncalled for, and has to end,” she said.

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