Barnabas Fund, 13 July 2021 (excerpts)
A Christian factory worker in Pakistan died after being allegedly abused physically by two co-workers. A murder inquiry is ongoing.
Shahzad Masih, 36, was confronted by Muhammad Abdullah and Muhammad Fizan on 18 June in Faisalabad. Lawyers acting on behalf of Shahzad’s family claim that the pair subjected him to a violent indecent assault, causing severe internal injuries, including damage to his lungs and liver. Despite an immediate colostomy procedure, Shahzad was unable to recover and died on 20 June.
Christian lawyers representing the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) filed a murder case against the alleged perpetrators as well as the factory manager, Asad Mahmood.
Shahzad had been staying in factory quarters with Muhammad Abdullah and Muhammad Fizan when he was assaulted.
Before dying Shahzad was able to testify against the two co-workers and stated that Asad Mahmood was also involved in the incident.
Muhammad Abdullah and Muhammad Fizan were arrested by the police. Asad Mahmood was granted pre-arrest bail.
The CLAAS Team also met the accused persons in custody. They confessed to indecent assault but contested a further charge of committing sodomy with Shahzad.
The trial was adjourned.