In 2018, two Christian brothers were sentenced to death over allegations of blasphemy. After about a decade of fighting for their freedom, one brother was acquitted by Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Oct. 7. The other brother, however, is still on death row. 

According to Section 295-C of the country’s penal code in Section 295-C, blasphemy against Muhammad is a crime punishable by death: “Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.” 

Qaisar Ayub, 49, had run a website that spoke out against Islam. He said he had stopped publishing in 2009, but another individual continued running the account under his name. The content caused conflicts between Qaisar and his coworkers, leading to the blasphemy allegations and eventually to charges. 

Qaisar was arrested and sentenced to death in 2018. His brother, Amoon Ayub, 46, was given the same sentence for his alleged involvement in his brother’s affairs. 

Seeking Mercy

CLAAS, an organization that supports victims of religious persecution, has represented their case since the beginning, fighting to appeal before a higher court. “Because of threats from hardliners, lower courts pass their responsibility to the higher court, and then it takes years to prove the accused innocent,” CLAAS-UK director Nasir Saeed said at the time. 

They appealed to the Lahore High Court in 2022, and the court upheld their sentence. Since last year, they have been appearing before the Supreme Court of Pakistan. Earlier this month, the court upheld Ayub’s conviction but found insufficient evidence to continue punishing his brother. 

He has been acquitted, but Qaisar’s wife and three children still hold their breath and pray for his release. CLAA-UK said the ruling is “deeply distressing” and it will continue to support him for as long as it takes. 

“We welcome the acquittal of Amoon Ayub after so many years of imprisonment, but our relief is overshadowed by the devastating news that his brother Qaiser continues to face the death penalty,” Saeed said. “No family should have to live for so many years under the shadow of a possible execution.” 

Story by Bella Agnello 

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