Pakistan: Police find no evidence or witness to prove that Down's syndrome Christian girl accused of blasphemy actually did burn the Qur'an

I hope Rimsha can be spirited out of Pakistan, and that her case will herald the repeal of Pakistan's blasphemy laws. If she stays in Pakistan, she will probably be murdered by a Muslim mob, despite the clear evidence that a Muslim cleric set her up. "No evidence found against blasphemy accused Rimsha: police," by Shakeel Qarar for AFP, September 22 (thanks to Zulu):

ISLAMABAD: In a startling development on Saturday, the Islamabad police claims to have found no evidence or witness to prove that blasphemy accused girl Rimsha Masih was seen desecrating holy papers, according to a copy of the revised charge sheet available with Dawn.com.
In the charge sheet, the police claim that the cleric of a nearby mosque, Mohammad Khalid Chishti, was guilty of tampering with evidence by adding holy pages into a shopping bag the girl had been carrying. The police claim the investigation proves the holy papers had also been burnt.

The evidence is now being sent to a forensic science laboratory in Lahore for further examination.

The Islamabad police submitted the charge sheet in a district and sessions court today.

“We have also told the court that there are witnesses and evidence against the local imam for framing a false blasphemy case against Rimsha,” Investigating Officer Munir Jafri told AFP.

Judge Ghulam Abbas Shah adjourned the case till Monday, Sept 24 to decide on whether Hafiz Mohammed Khalid Chishti should face trial.

Rao Abdur Rahim, the counsel for Rimsha’s neighbour Hammad Malik who had accused her along with Chishti, said he was not satisfied with the police report.

“This report is based on the bad intentions of the investigators and is made to prove Rimsha innocent. But, I will fight the case and make her face trial,” he told AFP.

Rimsha and her family, who fear for life after the blasphemy charges, were moved to an undisclosed location since her release on bail on Sept 8.

The district attorney, who signed the charge sheet along with a note of objections, observed: “Had Khalid Chishti burnt the Holy Quran, prior to adding them in the evidence, he could be declared accused under 196 PPC.”

According to the charge sheet, no witness has so far identified the place where Rimsha was alleged to have burnt the holy papers.

The police also claim that, in reality, it was Rimsha’s six year old younger sister Savera who had come to throw the garbage in front of the house of one Maqbool Ahmed. This account has been testified by two witnesses.

The police are also accusing the complainant of hiding the actual facts from the police.

The police investigation further states that the burnt holy papers were first seen by Mehreen Noor, Maqbool’s daughter, who had told the same to her mother. The burnt pile of papers was then sent to the cleric Mohammad Khalid Chishti through Mehreen Noor.

The police also says that Chishti is “an educated person and knows religion and the sanctity of the Holy Quran.”

Moreover, the police accuse Chishti of deliberately tearing two papers from the Holy Quran to add them into the pile of burnt papers, and preparing a false testimony. Chishti had also signed the testimony as a witness.

The police report further claims that Rimsha, a minor Christian girl, is illiterate and her mental age is not according to her actual age, which is 14....

Earlier on Sept 7, the additional district and sessions court of Islamabad had granted bail to the girl. Later on Sept 8, Rimsha was airlifted from Adiyala jail to an unspecified location within Islamabad under the protective custody of police after completion of legal formalities by her lawyers.

The girl belonging to the Christian community is said to be suffering from Down’s Syndrome. She had been arrested on Aug 16 under Pakistan’s strict blasphemy laws, prompting concern from Western governments, the Vatican, and rights groups.

The girl’s arrest had also triggered an exodus of several hundred Christians from her poor neighbourhood on the edge of Islamabad....

« Previous Entry | Home Page | Next Entry »

6 Comments

| Leave a comment

salah | September 22, 2012 11:47 AM | Reply

"..her mental age is not according to her actual age.."

Muhammad had a special relation with a mentally retarded woman. He did his best to fullfil her "needs"!

http://crossmuslims.blogspot.com/2010/08/crazy-about-muhammad-folle-de-mahomet.html

gravenimage | September 22, 2012 12:23 PM | Reply

Pakistan: Police find no evidence or witness to prove that Down's syndrome Christian girl accused of blasphemy actually did burn the Qur'an

Yes—because, so often, a mere accusation is a death sentence in Dar-al-Islam.

And why should we be shocked? Everything about this case specifically—and blasphemy laws in general—should tell us this. Even if she had burnt pieces of paper, as both an 11-year-old child and a sufferer of Down Syndrome, it is very doubtful that she would have understood the significance, in any case. And then, there is the fact that blasphemy laws are at base irrational.

So, what difference would her full and utter innocence make to any truly pious Muslim?

In addition, there is her "confession"—I've seen posts by several barbaric Muslims claiming that this should override any evidence and "proves her guilt". As though a frightened kid's "confession" can mean anything. In addition, those with Down Syndrome are famously eager to please—I'm sure she'd agree to anything the grown-ups around her seemed to want.

There is a long and horrifying history of those exonerated of blasphemy charges simply being murdered by the mob, often right on the courthouse steps.

I agree—if Rismsha and her family can't be gotten out of Pakistan, they are at risk of death.

In the charge sheet, the police claim that the cleric of a nearby mosque, Mohammad Khalid Chishti, was guilty of tampering with evidence by adding holy pages into a shopping bag the girl had been carrying. The police claim the investigation proves the holy papers had also been burnt.
........................................

Islam—where setting up a developmentally-disabled child is considered a pious act. *Ugh*.

“This report is based on the bad intentions of the investigators and is made to prove Rimsha innocent. But, I will fight the case and make her face trial,” he told AFP.
........................................

Exonerating an innocent child = "bad intentions". *Framing* an innocent child = good intentions. Only in Islam.

The police also claim that, in reality, it was Rimsha’s six year old younger sister Savera who had come to throw the garbage in front of the house of one Maqbool Ahmed. This account has been testified by two witnesses.
........................................

Oh, good, now they can accuse the 6-year-old...

The girl’s arrest had also triggered an exodus of several hundred Christians from her poor neighbourhood on the edge of Islamabad....
........................................

This is what the Imam's framing of Rimsha was meant to do in the first place—drive away Christians who were living in the same neighborhood as his Mosque. Whatever happens, it appears that he has achieved his vile goals.

Chatillon | September 22, 2012 4:27 PM | Reply

This is only "kind of" good news in that the accusations against the girl have been shown to be false. The bad news is that it is still possible to be put to death for burning a book. And the really bad news is that there are so many willing, indeed eager, to see it done, no matter what the years of the accused or their capability to understand what they were supposedly doing.

I`m happy to see this child apparently out of danger but this is still not a victory. I`m reminded of Winston Churchill`s remarks in response to the joy following the successful evacuation of Dunkirk, words to the effect that wars are not won by successful retreats. I think that to some degree the same principles are at work here.

David, Thailand | September 22, 2012 6:58 PM | Reply

The Pakistani authorities couldn't protect bin Laden, a person dear to their hearts, so does anyone believe they will go out of their way to give long term protection to this embarrassment of a dhimmi who doesn't even comprehend what's going on?

The cleric, meanwhile, should be found not guilty of any crime since Sharia interprets his action, that of a Muslim against a non-Muslim, to be a legitimate effort against the infidel and therefore in the cause of Allah.

Never mind the show, she is a dead girl, her passing will go unmentioned by the Western media, and the matter and evidence will be quietly buried so that no lessons are in danger of being learned by the wilfully ignorant West.

Or, of course, I am just another cynical bigot.

Arjay | September 22, 2012 8:01 PM | Reply

Dear Jihad Watch readers:

When the news first surfaced how an illiterate, poverty stricken, mentally disabled Down Syndrome child was accused of burning the Koran so many questions arose.

Why was there NO COMPASSION whatsoever for this child? Muslim men in Pakistan seem to be the one's mentally disbaled if they cannot comprehend that EVEN IF SHE DID COMMITT THIS ACT... this minor didn't know what she was doing.

Then the flip-flop on the details of the case was a red flag. First the child was accused of disrespecting the actual Koran, then of some papers that had Koran quotes. PUHLEEZE Islamadoodles... your true selves are showing. This would be like Christians and Jews accusing someone of first destroying New Testament Bibles and Torahs... and then finding out it was some children's book about the first Christmas (Nativity) or Noah's Ark story.

Papers that quotes a religion is NOT THE SAME THING as the actual religious text itself. A storybook about Noah's Ark is NOT the Torah... and a picture book with a Christmas story manger scene is NOT the New Testament Bible.

Now for the 800lb Islamogorilla in the room, that no one has mentioned in regard to this story- if it had actually been true. If the child had found a Koran or papers with Koran quotes... well, it obviously did not belong to a Pakistani Christian family originally. Sooo- why didn't the Mohammedan thought police make the connection that some MUSLIM PERSON OR FAMILY THREW OUT THE KORAN/KORAN QUOTES & PUT THEM IN THE GARBAGE DUMP. They had to have been owned intially by a muslim WHO THREW THEM OUT! Why was their no attempt to locate the muslims who pitched the Koranic papers.

I know its common for Christian families to have names and other information in Bibles. Muslims don't place the name of a Koran's owner inside the book itself? Even if not a Muslim practice... why wasn't condemned that some Muslim tossed the papers in the dumpster to begin with?

Why? Because it is revealed the entire thing was a frame up to expell Christians from that area of Pakistan. I 100% believe that Atlas Shrugs and Jihad Watch is responsible for getting this poor child's plight out in the open (and thus saving her life).

As for the 9/11/2012 attacks against Americans... as the 9/11 anniversary approached I had a gut feeling that some vileness was going to happen and that anything was going to the excuse for violence. I honestly thought this issue involving the disabled Christian child was going to escalate into something worldwide by 9/11's anniversary. Well, the worldwide focus difused this escalating "Muslims are offended & we must riot" train wreck.

So, something else was needed to "offend Muslims" as an excuse to riot and murder. Hey, what about a YouTube clip? Oh well, its an idea.

Does Jihad Watch know if any humanitarian organizations are attempting to get this child and her family out of Pakistan or will any country give them refugee status?

Keep up the good work Mr. Spencer!

Will Doohan | September 23, 2012 12:43 AM | Reply

It's often said in these comments threads that we are against Islam but we don't hate Muslims. I find that very difficult to accept when reading stories like this. The deliberate planting of evidence, doing it to a small girl, doing it to a person with a mental problem, that it was an IMAM that planted the evidence, that other Christians were chased out of town, that even after the police finding out that she is innocent the Muslims STILL want to kill her; all of these things are proof to me how nasty, greedy, vile and savage most Muslims are. If there are 'good ones' out there doing anything good for the world, I haven't heard of or met any of them.

NOTE: The Comments section is provided in the interests of free speech only. It is mostly unmoderated, but comments that are off topic, offensive, slanderous, or otherwise annoying stand a chance of being deleted. The fact that any comment remains on the site IN NO WAY constitutes an endorsement by Jihad Watch, or by Robert Spencer or any other Jihad Watch writer, of any view expressed, fact alleged, or link provided in that comment.

FrontPageMag.com

Books by Robert Spencer

The Muslim Brotherhood in America, by Robert Spencer

Islamophobia: Thoughtcrime of the Totalitarian Future

Muslim Persecution of Christians, by Robert Spencer

The Ground Zero Mosque: Second Wave of the 9/11 Attacks

“My comrade-in-arms, my pal, my buddy.”
— Oriana Fallaci

“Robert Spencer incarnates intellectual courage when, all over the world, governments, intellectuals, churches, universities and media crawl under a hegemonic Universal Caliphate’s New Order. His achievement in the battle for the survival of free speech and dignity of man will remain as a fundamental monument to the love of, and the self-sacrifice for, liberty.”
— Bat Ye’or

“Robert Spencer is indefatigable. He is keeping up the good fight long after many have already given up. I do not know what we would do without him. I appreciate all the intelligence and courage it takes to keep going despite the appeasement of the West.”
— Ibn Warraq

“America's most informed, fearless, and compelling voice on modern jihadism.”
— Andrew C. McCarthy, Senior Fellow at National Review Institute

“Robert Spencer is the leading voice of scholarship and reason in a world gone mad. If the West is to be saved, we will owe Robert Spencer an incalculable debt.”
— Pamela Geller, Atlas Shrugs

"The consummate Islam critic and expert." — Bruce Bawer

“Over the years, we have become friends, and I have received his assistance on several pieces of legislation I proposed.”
— Former Congressman Tom Tancredo

“Few people are capable of applying scholarship, analytical reasoning, and objectivity to their topic -- while simultaneously being readable and witty -- as can Robert Spencer.”
— Raymond Ibrahim

“A national treasure...The acclaimed scholar of Islam.”
— Frank Gaffney, Center for Security Policy

“I am indeed honored to call him my friend.”
— Brad Thor, novelist

“A top American analyst of Islam....A serious scholar...I learn from him.”
— Daniel Pipes

“A brilliant scholar and writer.”
— Douglas Murray

"One of my best teachers."
— Ashraf Ramelah, Voice of the Copts

“Thank God there’s at least one man with balls left in the West.”
— Kathy Shaidle, Five Feet of Fury

“I read people like [Mark Steyn] and Bob Spencer and the rest of them, and I say, ‘Boortz, you’re pretending you’re an author. These people really are. They really write some entertaining, some standup stuff.’”
— Neal Boortz

“Robert Spencer is the Stephen King of Jihad.”
— Chris Gaubatz, Muslim Mafia

“Armed with facts and fearlessness, Spencer stands up for Western civilization.”
— Michelle Malkin

“Widely read in conservative foreign policy circles.”
— New York Times

“Widely read in many quarters in Washington.”
— Washington Post

“A canny operative who likely has the inside track on the State Department’s Middle East affairs desk should the tea party win the White House.”
— New York Magazine

“A hero of the American right.”
— Karen Armstrong

"The leading anti-Islamic intellectual in the United States....The go-to Islam expert for the right wing."
— Salon Magazine

“Robert Spencer is an Edward Said turned upside down.”
— Stephen Suleyman Schwartz

“One of the nation's most notorious Islamophobes.”
— Hamas-linked CAIR

"Geller and Spencer are probably the most important propagandizing Islamophobes in the world. These people's voices speak very loudly — not just here in the United States but overseas."
— Heidi Beirach, Southern Poverty Law Center

“Satanic ignoramus.”
— Khaleel Mohammed

“The Likud anti-Christ.”
— Dar al-Hayat newspaper (Saudi Arabia)

“Zionist Crusader, missionary of hate, counter-Islam consultant.”
— Al-Qaeda’s Adam Gadahn, “Azzam the American”