Cleric accused in burned Quran case

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.