Lahore: May 18, 2012. (PCP) The CLAAS team is celebrating after the acquittal of Ruqqiya Bibi and her husband Munir Masih in their blasphemy case. The family has suffered for four years as a result of the false accusations that were made against them. Ruqqiya and Munir were sentenced to 25 years in prison in March 2010 after supposedly touching the Koran with unwashed hands. Although Munir was released on bail in November that year, Ruqqiya remained in jail for the next two years. During the hearing at the Pakistan Supreme Court on Thursday, Ruqqiya’s defence council Naeem Shakir said that the investigation report into the case was biased and that the statement in the registered First Information Report contradicted statements of the prosecution witnesses. Despite arguments against the acquittal from the prosecution’s legal team, Justice Mahar Ali Akbar Naqvi was convinced by the defence’s arguments and overturned the charges against Ruqqiya and Munir. CLAAS Pakistan director Joseph Francis was present in court for the hearing, along with other members of the CLAAS legal team. He thanks CLAAS colleagues and supporters for their prayers: “We believe that you were not here in person but you were with us spiritually through your continued prayer.” Munir visited the CLAAS office after the hearing where he expressed his thanks for the support he and his wife have received over the years. During the four-year ordeal, CLAAS staff visited Ruqqiya in prison, providing basic necessities such as toiletries and new clothes to make her detention more comfortable. CLAAS staff also arranged prison visits for the children to see their mother. Mr Francis will go to the Sahiwal prison on Tuesday to accompany Ruqqiya on her release. As there is always risk of a backlash following acquittals in blasphemy cases, Munir has asked CLAAS to provide safe accommodation for Ruqqiya at its rehabilitation centre following her release from prison. CLAAS UK coordinator, Nasir Saeed said: “We are overjoyed that the judge came down on the side of justice and overturned the blasphemy convictions against Ruqqiya and Munir. The last four years have been hellish and the prayers of our supporters have made all the difference in encouraging them and bringing about this positive and just outcome. We are relieved that after so many years, Ruqqiya is finally free to be with her family. Acquittals in blasphemy cases are usually met with considerable anger from extremists and there is a genuine threat to her life. We ask for your continued prayers for her safety and eventual return to normal life.”