London: April 12, 2013. (PCP) A Punjabi man contacted CLAAS for help after his conversion to Islam and marriage to a Muslim girl prompted her family to accuse him of kidnap. Nadeem Masih, of Ajnehiwala District, Hafizabal, married a girl called Madiha according to the Islamic tradition on 11 February. Three days later, Madiha’s family registered a first information report with police against Nadeem. The FIR was followed by the arrest of Nadeem and seven family members, including his mother. They report being tortured before being sent to the Central Jail Gujranwala. Their detention comes despite Madiha recording a statement with the High Court in Sindh confirming that she was not abducted but got married by her own free will according to Islamic rites. Nadeem’s family have received repeated threats from Madiha’s family if they fail to hand her back over to them. Nadeem’s immediate and extended family, including children, left their homes in fear to hide out in fields and under canal bridges. The threats have not stopped despite the Sind High Court finding in favour of Madiha and ruling that the marriage was legitimate. CLAAS is working to overturn the criminal charges against Nadeem and his family members. They have been released on bail with the help of CLAAS and we are exploring safe house options for them. We are also preparing to file a harassment petition in the High Court in Lahore against Madiha’s family.