Asia Bibi freed, has not left Pakistan yet

Asia Bibi has been freed from prison but remains in protective custody.

After spending eight years on death row, the Christian woman acquitted last week has been freed in the city of Multan, according to her lawyer. She was brought to an undisclosed safe place in Pakistan.

Reports in the last hours said Asia Bibi had been able to leave the country, but the Pakistan foreign office confirmed she was still in the country.

Riots and violent protests led by Islamist clerics broke out in the last days, and the government led by Prime Minister Imran Khan announced an agreement with the which included a travel ban for Asia Bibi and an option to file a review petition against the Supreme Court verdict. The government admitted the agreement with violent radicals would not help the innocent woman, but was “larger interest of the country”.

Meanwhile, international bodies like the European Union have called the Pakistani government to protect Asia Bibi and her family. “We are extremely worried because our lives are in danger”, husband Ashiq Masih told Aid to the Church.

Countries like Italy have offered asylum to the Christian woman.

Follow the full coverage of Asia Bibi's case here.