Christian family targeted in false murder charges - CLAAS

Lahore, Pakistan: October 23, 2010, (PCTV Newsdesk)

A young Christian man has been in prison for the last eight months and his family attacked after he was framed for the murder of a Muslim man in his home town of Sheikhupura. Yassir Masih, 18, has been held in the district jail since his arrest in late February. He stands accused of murdering Muhammad Imran, a charge he denies. 

Masih says that on February 17, his Muslim friend Muhammad Mubashir came to his house late at night and asked him to accompany him on some urgent business.

He agreed to go with him and the two went to the home of Imran, who was in love with the same girl as Mubashir. Although the two had formerly been friends, their rivalry caused the friendship to deteroriate. 

Masih explains: “Being a friend, I went with him reluctantly and we soon arrived at the door of Muhammad Imran. Muhammad Mubashir knocked on the door and as soon as Muhammad Imran opened the door, Muhammad Mubashir opened fire with his pistol, killing Muhammad Imran on the spot.” 

The gunshot was heard by nearby villagers who immediately began to search for the killer. Afraid of the mob and scared they would turn on his family, Masih fled with Mubashir. He realised later, however, that Mubashir had blended into the mob and pretended that he was also searching for the killer. 

When the villagers discovered that Masih was missing from his home they came to the conclusion that he had murdered Imran. 

Instead of levelling charges against Masih only, Mubashir’s father has also filed charges of murder, possession of a firearm, and terrorism against his 50-year-old father Abid Masih, and brothers Khalid Masih, 30, Asif Masih, 23, Ashir Masih, 15, and Faisal Masih, 13, as well as two unnamed others. 

Masih believes other members of his family were added to the charge sheet in an attempt to deprive them of their valuable strawberry, wheat and corn crops. 

Not satisfied with accusing the family of murder, angry villagers took matters into their own hands on February 18 when they descended upon the farm, beating the women and children and looting their home. 

After Masih’s arrest, his family tried to tell police that Mushabir had in fact killed Imran but they say police refused to hear their side of the story. 

Ashir Masih and Asif Masih were also arrested and have been held in an undisclosed location since February 18. Abid Masih and Khalid Masih have been in hiding since that time.

Only Faisal Masih has been cleared of all charges. He has gone into hiding.