Elderly Christian Acquitted of Blasphemy After 23 Years on Death Row in Pakistan

Image: Jihad Watch

LAHORE, Pakistan (Christian Daily International–Morning Star News) – In a long-overdue decision that has ignited both relief and reflection across Pakistan, the Supreme Court on June 25 ordered the acquittal of 72-year-old Anwar Kenneth, a Catholic man who had spent nearly 23 years on death row after being convicted of blasphemy.

Kenneth, once a deputy director in the fisheries department, was arrested in 2001 after he penned a letter expressing his Christian beliefs. Although the letter included no abusive language towards the Prophet Muhammad, it was interpreted by some as blasphemous, leading to his conviction under Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws. Since then, he had been imprisoned despite repeated concerns over his mental health.

The Supreme Court bench—comprising Justices Athar Minallah, Shahzad Ahmed Khan, and Irfan Saadat Khan—delivered a landmark judgment, stating that a person of unsound mind cannot be held criminally responsible under blasphemy laws. The ruling brings long-awaited justice to Kenneth and casts a renewed spotlight on the plight of other prisoners detained on similar charges.

“It is deeply tragic that this elderly man was left to suffer in various prisons for over two decades, despite clear signs of his mental illness,” said Kenneth’s attorney, Rana Abdul Hameed. A practicing Muslim and a veteran human rights advocate, Hameed called the court’s decision “a courageous and just step forward,” albeit delayed. “This verdict should serve as a wake-up call for policymakers and human rights defenders. Dozens of individuals, many suffering from mental health issues, continue to languish in jails under blasphemy accusations, without hope or legal aid.”

The legal journey to Kenneth’s acquittal was long and arduous. His appeal lingered for years until March 12, 2024, when the Supreme Court requested guidance from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) as well as two Christian organizations—the Pakistan Church Council and the United Church Council of Islamabad—on whether the contents of Kenneth’s letter truly qualified as blasphemous. This was a significant move towards interfaith legal consultation.

Earlier, in January 2023, the court had observed the urgent need for competent legal representation for Kenneth, after five court-appointed attorneys withdrew from the case—reportedly due to pressure from extremist religious groups. It was only after the intervention of the Pakistan Bar Council and the support of the Jubilee Campaign Netherlands that Hameed agreed to take up the case.

Despite widespread pressure from hardline Islamist lawyers, including members of the Khatm-e-Nabbuwat (Finality of Prophethood) Lawyers Forum, the judges stood by their decision. According to Hameed, the courtroom turned chaotic when the verdict was announced, with opposition lawyers and clerics expressing outrage. “Kenneth’s acquittal has shaken their narrative,” Hameed noted. “It sets a precedent that mental illness and theological expression cannot be equated with criminal intent.”

Kenneth’s elder sister, 83-year-old Reshma Bibi, expressed bittersweet relief. “My brother was a Bible scholar, passionate about his faith. He loved engaging in dialogue with Muslim scholars. His letters were never disrespectful; they reflected his spiritual convictions,” she shared. “That one letter cost him more than two decades of his life.”

Though Islam, Christianity, and Judaism all belong to the Abrahamic tradition, Hameed explained, “Kenneth’s letter merely stated his Christian belief that does not recognize Islam’s tenets. There was no hatred, no insult—only theological distinction.”

Kenneth’s acquittal may now inspire broader discussions on reforming Pakistan’s blasphemy laws and the urgent need for protections for the mentally ill and religious minorities. For now, one man’s long fight for justice has finally seen a flicker of light.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)