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Pakistani Police Arrest Two Christians Accused Of Blasphemy

A Christian man looks through the debris of a home vandalized in the town of Jaranwala outside the eastern Pakistani city of Faisalabad on August 17 after it was ransacked by an angry mob.
1/12 A Christian man looks through the debris of a home vandalized in the town of Jaranwala outside the eastern Pakistani city of Faisalabad on August 17 after it was ransacked by an angry mob.
Mobs in eastern Pakistan burned several churches and torched homes belonging to members of the Christian minority amid accusations of blasphemy. Officials said the August 16 rampage in the town of Jaranwala erupted after two Christians were accused of desecrating the Koran.
Police officers walk through the rubble in the Christian district of Jaranwala. Dozens of houses and at least five churches were set on fire after two Christians were accused of blasphemy for allegedly desecrating the Koran.
2/12 Police officers walk through the rubble in the Christian district of Jaranwala. Dozens of houses and at least five churches were set on fire after two Christians were accused of blasphemy for allegedly desecrating the Koran.
Mobs in eastern Pakistan burned several churches and torched homes belonging to members of the Christian minority amid accusations of blasphemy. Officials said the August 16 rampage in the town of Jaranwala erupted after two Christians were accused of desecrating the Koran.
A Christian woman weeps on August 17 after her home was vandalized by an angry Muslim mob the day before.
3/12 A Christian woman weeps on August 17 after her home was vandalized by an angry Muslim mob the day before.
Mobs in eastern Pakistan burned several churches and torched homes belonging to members of the Christian minority amid accusations of blasphemy. Officials said the August 16 rampage in the town of Jaranwala erupted after two Christians were accused of desecrating the Koran.
Furniture and other belongings of a church are set on fire in Jaranwala on August 16.
4/12 Furniture and other belongings of a church are set on fire in Jaranwala on August 16.
Mobs in eastern Pakistan burned several churches and torched homes belonging to members of the Christian minority amid accusations of blasphemy. Officials said the August 16 rampage in the town of Jaranwala erupted after two Christians were accused of desecrating the Koran.
Protesters stand on the roof of a church in Jaranwala as they vandalize the building.
5/12 Protesters stand on the roof of a church in Jaranwala as they vandalize the building.
Mobs in eastern Pakistan burned several churches and torched homes belonging to members of the Christian minority amid accusations of blasphemy. Officials said the August 16 rampage in the town of Jaranwala erupted after two Christians were accused of desecrating the Koran.
People gather at a church building vandalized by protesters.
6/12 People gather at a church building vandalized by protesters.
Mobs in eastern Pakistan burned several churches and torched homes belonging to members of the Christian minority amid accusations of blasphemy. Officials said the August 16 rampage in the town of Jaranwala erupted after two Christians were accused of desecrating the Koran.
Fire burns inside a church.
7/12 Fire burns inside a church.
Mobs in eastern Pakistan burned several churches and torched homes belonging to members of the Christian minority amid accusations of blasphemy. Officials said the August 16 rampage in the town of Jaranwala erupted after two Christians were accused of desecrating the Koran.
People stand near burning objects taken from a church in Jaranwala on August 16.
8/12 People stand near burning objects taken from a church in Jaranwala on August 16.
Mobs in eastern Pakistan burned several churches and torched homes belonging to members of the Christian minority amid accusations of blasphemy. Officials said the August 16 rampage in the town of Jaranwala erupted after two Christians were accused of desecrating the Koran.
Protesters gather near objects set on fire on a street in Jaranwala.
9/12 Protesters gather near objects set on fire on a street in Jaranwala.
Mobs in eastern Pakistan burned several churches and torched homes belonging to members of the Christian minority amid accusations of blasphemy. Officials said the August 16 rampage in the town of Jaranwala erupted after two Christians were accused of desecrating the Koran.
A view of a burnt church on the outskirts of Faisalabad following an attack by Muslim men. Local Christians quickly moved to safer places, and no injuries were reported.
10/12 A view of a burnt church on the outskirts of Faisalabad following an attack by Muslim men. Local Christians quickly moved to safer places, and no injuries were reported.
Mobs in eastern Pakistan burned several churches and torched homes belonging to members of the Christian minority amid accusations of blasphemy. Officials said the August 16 rampage in the town of Jaranwala erupted after two Christians were accused of desecrating the Koran.
People gather outside a damaged church on the outskirts of Faisalabad.
11/12 People gather outside a damaged church on the outskirts of Faisalabad.
Mobs in eastern Pakistan burned several churches and torched homes belonging to members of the Christian minority amid accusations of blasphemy. Officials said the August 16 rampage in the town of Jaranwala erupted after two Christians were accused of desecrating the Koran.
Police officials inspect a damaged Salvation Army church in Jaranwala on August 17. Officials said more than 120 people were arrested overnight.
12/12 Police officials inspect a damaged Salvation Army church in Jaranwala on August 17. Officials said more than 120 people were arrested overnight.
Mobs in eastern Pakistan burned several churches and torched homes belonging to members of the Christian minority amid accusations of blasphemy. Officials said the August 16 rampage in the town of Jaranwala erupted after two Christians were accused of desecrating the Koran.
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Police have arrested two Christians accused of blasphemy in eastern Pakistan, a spokesperson said on August 18, two days after a Muslim mob burned churches and houses in a Christian settlement, accusing the two men of desecrating the Koran. Blasphemy is punishable by death in Pakistan. Although no one has ever been executed, numerous accused people have been lynched by outraged mobs. The police said they have so far rounded up 128 people involved in the attack on the Christian community in Jaranwala in the industrial district of the city of Faisalabad on August 16. To read the original story by Reuters, click here.

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