Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman who spent years on death row after being convicted of blasphemy, has left the country, officials have confirmed. Some reports indicate that she has already arrived in Canada
Her conviction was overturned last year by the Supreme Court but she was still not allowed to leave the country amid large scale protests by Muslim fundamentalist groups that wanted her executed..
She was originally convicted in 2010 after being accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad in a row with her neighbours.
A photo from one of the protests last year against the acquittal of Asia Bibi, a Christian accused of blasphemy, whose death sentence was annulled by the Supreme court, in Lahore, Pakistan. EPA-EFE/RAHAT DAR
Asia Bibi has always maintained her innocence in a case that has polarised Pakistan.
Pakistani government officials did not reveal her destination, or say when she left.
But her lawyer Saif Ul Malook told CNN she had already arrived in Canada. Some of her family are reported to be in Canada.
Asia Noreen – commonly known as Asia Bibi – was kept at a secret location while arrangements were made for her to leave the country.
The Supreme Court’s quashing of her sentence last October led to violent protests by religious hardliners who support strong blasphemy laws, while more liberal sections of society urged her release.
