September 3, 2012 in Nation/World

Cleric accused in burned Quran case

Associated Press
 
Associated Press photo

Pakistani police officers escort blindfolded Muslim cleric Khalid Chishti to appear in court in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Sunday.
(Full-size photo)

ISLAMABAD – Pakistani police said authorities have arrested an imam who had accused a Christian girl of blasphemy.

Munir Jaffery, an investigating officer in the case, said Sunday that Khalid Chishti was arrested late Saturday for allegedly planting pages of a Quran in a shopping bag containing burned papers and ash that had been carried by the Christian girl.

The 14-year-old girl was later accused of burning pages of the Quran, a serious offense in Pakistan that can result in life in prison.

The about-face could lead to the girl being released from prison and defuse what has been a religiously charged case in Pakistan.

The case has been especially sensitive because of the girl’s young age and questions about her mental capacity.

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