Pakistan Detains Three After Raping Christian (Worthy News In-Depth)
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
ISLAMABAD (Worthy News) – Pakistani authorities have detained three men who allegedly raped a Christian woman in a violent robbery targeting her and her husband, Worthy News learned Tuesday.
Rana Sher Ali, Muhammad Faisal, and Hadayat Ali – remain in custody while awaiting trial following the incident in Faisalabad, Pakistan’s third largest city, several sources confirmed.
Christians also said they are raising financial and legal support for the assaulted victims, Adnan Masih and his wife, Shumaila.
Worthy News usually does not publish names of victims of sexual abuse unless they agree to come forward, as was the case.
Their ordeal began on March 25 while the couple was heading home from work on their motorcycle when they were suddenly intercepted by two gunmen, according to a reconstruction of the attack.
After seizing the married couple’s cell phone and the small amount of cash they were carrying, the thieves reportedly beat the Christians and demanded more money.
Adnan Masih recalled that he told the gunmen that he and his wife “were poor Christians who had nothing more to give.” It was then that the attack became more violent.
CALLING MAN
Whispering between themselves, the assailants phoned a third man who later arrived on a motorcycle, he said.
Pulling the drawstring from Adnan’s trousers, they tied him up and then dragged his wife Shumaila to a nearby sugarcane field, where they each violently assaulted her, according to a reconstruction of events.
As they left, the men threatened to kill them both if they ever spoke of the attack, the couple said in published remarks.
With their motorcycle left damaged by the attack, the Christians walked the rest of the way home, saying nothing to family members who had been worried about them.
By the next morning, “after praying and talking” together, the couple said they “gained the courage” to report the incident to authorities.
As a result of the police investigation, the three men were detained on suspicion of involvement in robbery and sexual assault against the Christian woman.
If conducted, the men, believed to be Muslims, could face either the death penalty or imprisonment of between ten and twenty-five years. For the robbery, they could get up to 14 years imprisonment, Worthy News established.
RARE CASE
Christian representatives suggested the arrests were a remarkable development in Pakistan, an Islamic nation where crimes against Christians often remain unpunished.
“Regarded within Pakistani society as lesser citizens, Christians frequently face discrimination and violence,” noted advocacy group Voice Of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC).
“As a result of this systemic bias, followers of Jesus – and other non-Muslim citizens – are often treated unfairly by the country’s court system, though some recent rulings suggest that such bias may be waning,” the group added.
VOMC said it has urged prayers for the couple and other Christians facing persecution in the country.
“The physical and emotional scars left on Shumaila and her family are deep and lasting,” said the British Asian Christian Association (BACA), a Christian charity.
“As if the brutal assault weren’t enough, the financial burden on Adnan is crushing. He works as a bonded brick-maker, struggling daily to make ends meet, while Shumaila’s job as a sweeper provides essential additional income,” the group added.
The term “bonded” refers to a worker forced to offer services to pay off high debts. It is a form of modern slavery endured by millions in countries such as Pakistan and neighboring India, including many Christians.
YOUNG CHILDREN
“With three young children—Danish, 12, Daim, 9, and Satayish, 6, the family is living on the edge, barely able to survive,” explained BACA, which raises funds to support the family.
“To add to their hardship, Adnan took a loan of 300,000 Pakistani rupees (about $1,070) from the brick kiln owner, trapping the family in a cycle of debt and indentured labor,” the group stressed.
“We are determined to help free them from this oppressive contract, allowing them the independence and dignity to pursue justice without interference from their exploitative employer,” BACA told Worthy News.
Pakistan ranks 8th on the annual World Watch List of 50 nations, where advocacy group Open Doors says Christians face the most persecution.
“Christians from Muslim backgrounds suffer the brunt of persecution from radical Islamist groups and families, friends, and neighbors. Radicals regard them as apostates, while families and the community see conversion as a shameful act of betrayal,” noted Open Doors.
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