Local police contend Masih confessed to the deed, but doubts remain as to how the confession was obtained, according to Asia News. Haji Nazir Ahmed, a local police official, said a Muslim man complained to police that Masih was insulting the Quran by putting his legs on it while he lay in bed at home, the U.K. Press Association reported. Ahmed said Masih confessed to placing the Quran on his feet and tearing out pages from the book. On the pages, Masih wrote magic spells to put inside amulets he gave to fellow Christians, the official stated. The case is one of many prosecuted under the country's controversial blasphemy laws, which carry a possible death sentence for offenses against the Quran defamation of Islam's prophet Muhammad. Civil Judge Muhammad Ashraf Bhatti of Chishtian, about 90 miles northeast of Multan in eastern Punjab province, issued Masih's sentence Feb. 23. Masih has 30 days to appeal the decision to the High Court in Lahore.