Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Pakistan

Religion or Belief: Christian – Unspecified/Other

Health Concerns: Diabetes, heart disease, headaches

Reports of Torture: Yes

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Appeal: Death

Sentence: Originally Life Imprisonment

Date of Detainment: July/22/2012

Date of Sentencing: January//2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: Yes

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Figures) Online Activity

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy

Zafar Bhatti

Extra Bio Info:

Zafar Bhatti is imprisoned and sentenced to death for blasphemy.

On July 22, 2012, authorities arrested Bhatti, a pastor, after he was accused of sending text messages insulting the Prophet Muhammad's mother.  Bhatti was reportedly tortured into confessing. 

On May 3, 2017, Bhatti was sentenced to life in prison for "insulting the Prophet Muhammad" (Sec. 295-C PPC).  Bhatti has reportedly been attacked while in prison.

On June 22, 2021, Bhatti's conviction was upheld by a sessions court judge in the Rawalpindi District. 

In January 2022, the Rawalpindi Sessions Court reportedly sentenced Bhatti to death.

Bhatti reportedly has diabetes and heart disease and experiences frequent headaches.

Bhatti is married.

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