Ryan Stanten a Christian boy charged with 295-C

11th Oct, 2012 Lahore Pakistan: A day ago we rescued and provided shelter to a teenage Christian boy Ryan Stanton from Karachi along with his family.

Yesterday, the local police station has registered an FIR against him under section 295-C and Anti-Terrorism Act and Section 29 of the Telegraph Act.

This is the first Blasphemy case in Pakistan in which Anti –Terrorism Act’s section has been included. We have observed that Pakistani society is becoming more hostile and targeting teenage Christians is a new episode of Persecution. Earlier Rimsha Masih was targeted by the Islamic cleric and now Ryan Stanton was the next target.

While talking to Ryan, we got the fact that his phone was misused by few of his friends who were forcing him to convert to Islam, which was instantly refused. This anger of jealous friend put him in to a life risk when from his personal Cell phone a blasphemous text message was sent.

On 8th October, before we rescued the family, dozens of violent people tried to drag Ryan to the police station to admit and surrender but his mother wisely handled the situation and then in next few hours they were out of the compound of SSGC. The Residents of the SSGC colony waited till the morning and when the family did not arrive back  home then they first ransacked the house and then burnt the left over belongings.

Ryan was amongst few lucky people who managed to be safe before arrested or killed by the mob. Currently our Foundation is looking two options either we will contest the case and prove him innocent or help him to find new safe heaven. We request the international community to raise their voices for the misuse of the Blasphemy law in Pakistan.

 The Copy of the FIR.