BREAKING NEWS: 14-Year Old Pakistani Girl Accused of Burning Qur'an Granted Bail

Rimsha faces Blasphemy charges, but the girl was released on bail by a judge in Islamabad today.

A Pakistani judge released a 14-year old girl from jail today. She was held on Blasphemy charges for allegedly burning pages of the Holy Qur'an. A local cleric is accused of setting the girl up. The girl's family says she has Down's Syndrome.

(ISLAMABAD, Pakistan) - Shunning enormous pressure from opposing interests, a Pakistani additional session Judge, Muhammad Azam, accepted a bail plea for a girl named Rimsha, who many say is a victim of blind fanaticism. It happened today, 7th September, 2012.

Just 14, Rimsha had been craving justice for the past 3 weeks which she spent in Central Jail, Adayal, Rawaplpindi under extreme distress. The facility is described as a torturous environment.

Today citizens of Islamabad Pakistan from all walks of life have hailed the decision of the honorable court.

The minority groups of different faiths have joyously used their solidarity towards harmony. Reformation for Empowerment and Alleviation of Poverty (REAP) has announced the undertaking of Rimsha’s educational expenses in the future.

The judge ordered to submit two surety bonds of Rs. 5,00,000/- in the court.

Mr. Shamim Masih, Secretary General (REAP) remained on his toes throughout the legal proceedings and left no stone unturned to bring relief and justice for Rimsha, the victim.

He has also done a fantastic job of turning reports frequently to keep our readers apprised of the developments in this case.

Salem-News.com's William Gomes first broke this story for our readers with an appeal to Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, President of Pakistan, on the 19th August 2012. Within 24-hours, word was passed back to us that higher government had viewed our report and was going to investigate.

Past coverage:

Sept-05-2012: PUCM Calls to Pakistani Christians Leadership to Stand Together - Shamim Masih for Salem-News.com

Sept-05-2012: Some Organizations Exploiting and Commercializing the Tragic Case of Rimsha - Shamim Masih for Salem-News.com

Sept-02-2012: Pakistan Police Arrest Cleric who Accused Christian Girl Rimsha of Blasphemy - Shamim Masih for Salem-News.com

Sept-02-2012: Pakistan United Christian Movement Demands Urgent Release of 14-Year Old Rimsha Arrested in Fabricated Case - Salem-News.com

Augt-30-2012: Medical Report of Christian Girl Accused of Burning Quran Challenged in Pakistani Court - Salem-News.com

Aug-27-2012: Pakistani Christian Girl Accused of Burning Qur'an in Court - Shamim Masih for Salem-News.com

Aug-19-2012: Pakistan Jails Christian Teenager over BlasphemyLetter by William Gomes Salem-News.com

Aug-19-2012: Pakistan Moves to Protect Girl over Alleged Qur'an Burning - Salem-News.com