U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

SELECTED

BLASPHEMY CASES 

SEPTEMBER 2017
Mohamed 

Abdullah al-Nasr

EGYPT

Andry Cahya

INDONESIA

Ahmed Musadeq

INDONESIA

Sebastian Joe

INDONESIA

Basuki “Ahok” 

Tjahaja Purnama

INDONESIA

Mahful Muis 

Tumanurung

INDONESIA

Ayatollah 

Mohammad 

Kazemeini 

Boroujerdi

IRAN

Mohammad 

Ali Taheri

IRAN

Aasia Bibi

PAKISTAN

Abdul Shakoor

PAKISTAN

Ruslan Sokolovsky

RUSSIAN 

FEDERATION

Raif Badawi

SAUDI ARABIA

Ashraf Fayadh

SAUDI ARABIA

Shankar Ponnam

SAUDI ARABIA
UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

WWW.USCIRF.GOV

SEPTEMBER 2017

SELECTED

BLASPHEMY CASES

COMMISSIONERS

Daniel Mark, Chairman

Sandra Jolley, Vice Chair

Kristina Arriaga de Bucholz, Vice Chair

Tenzin Dorjee

Clifford D. May 

Thomas J. Reese, S.J.

John Ruskay

Jackie Wolcott

Erin D. Singshinsuk

Executive Director
PROFESSIONAL STAFF

Dwight Bashir, Director of Research and Policy

Elizabeth K. Cassidy, Director of International Law and Policy

Judith E. Golub, Director of Congressional Affairs & Policy and Planning

John D. Lawrence, Director of Communications

Elise Goss-Alexander, Researcher

Andrew Kornbluth, Policy Analyst

Tiffany Lynch, Senior Policy Analyst

Tina L. Mufford, Senior Policy Analyst

Jomana Qaddour, Policy Analyst

Karen Banno, Office Manager

Roy Haskins, Manager of Finance and Administration

Travis Horne, Communications Specialist
1

Respecting Rights? Measuring the World’s 

Blasphemy Laws, a U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) report, 

documents the 71 countries – ranging from 

Canada to Pakistan – that have blasphemy 

laws (as of June 2016). 

Blasphemy laws are a global concern, present in all of the world’s regions. 

These laws, which punish expression or 

acts deemed blasphemous, defamatory of 

religions, or contemptuous of religion or 

religious symbols, figures, or feelings, have 

punishments ranging from fines to imprisonment and death. They also embolden 

vigilante groups who mete out their own 

extrajudicial “justice,” including killings, 

often with state impunity. 

According to their proponents, blasphemy 

laws promote religious harmony and public 

order. Unfortunately, they do the opposite, 

often leading to instability and violence in 

countries around the world, with negative 

consequences for individuals, communities 

and nations. USCIRF believes that all human 

beings should be accorded dignity, respect, 

and freedom no matter their convictions, and 

the Commission affirms the right of private 

individuals and groups to peacefully oppose 

expression they consider to be blasphemous. 

However, while it is legitimate to speak out 

against blasphemy, the Commission maintains 

that government has no role in policing blasphemy and that laws against blasphemy are 

detrimental to religious freedom and related 

human rights and are deeply problematic 

because they: 

• Violate international human rights standards; 

• Often are vaguely worded, and few specify 

or limit the forum in which blasphemy can 

occur for purposes of punishment;

• Are inconsistent with the approach 

agreed to in UN Human Rights Council 

Resolution 16/18; 

• Inappropriately make governments the 

arbiters of ultimate truths or religious 

doctrines; 

• Are used disproportionately against religious minorities or dissenting members 

of the majority community and are ripe 

for abuse; 

• Often carry draconian penalties; and 

• Embolden religious extremists to commit 

acts of violence. 

USCIRF urges the repeal of blasphemy 

laws worldwide. We must continue to confront 

blasphemy laws and the horrific acts they 

unleash as an assault on human rights and dignity and press offending nations to repeal these 

laws, protect those who have been accused, 

and release people arrested, charged, imprisoned, and sentenced to death for blasphemy. 

The Commission believes that when discussing blasphemy, it is important to focus on 

the real people impacted, and not just the laws 

themselves. The individuals highlighted here 

are only a sample of those who have been negatively impacted by blasphemy laws. For some 

we have pictures, but for many we do not. Read 

their stories, the charges against them, and their 

sentences to better understand the devastating 

impact of these laws and the need for repeal. 

SELECTED BLASPHEMY CASES

Many countries today have blasphemy laws. Blasphemy is defined as 

“the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God.” 

Across the globe, billions of people view blasphemy as deeply offensive 

to their beliefs.
U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

2

EGYPT

MOHAMED ABDULLAH AL-NASR

RELIGION CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Sunni 

Muslim

Contempt of religion (Article 98 (F) 

Egyptian Penal Code)

February 2017 5 years’ imprisonment

SUMMARY

In February 2017, Sunni Muslim cleric Mohamed Abdullah al-Nasr was sentenced to five years in 

prison for “contempt of religion” for questioning various interpretations of Qur’anic texts on Facebook; he remains in prison while an appeal is pending. In November 2016, al-Nasr also had claimed 

to be the Mahdi, a promised eschatological figure within Islam, prompting calls for his prosecution 

and a psychiatric evaluation. Al-Nasr reportedly began a hunger strike February 26, 2017 to protest 

his imprisonment.1

MUSTAFA ABDEL-NABI

RELIGION CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Atheist Contempt of religion 

(Article 98 (F) Egyptian Penal 

Code)

Initial: January 2016; 

Appeal Upheld: 

February 23, 2016

3 years’ imprisonment 

(in absentia)

SUMMARY

In January 2016, online activist Mustafa Abdel-Nabi was convicted in absentia to three years in 

prison for blasphemy for postings about atheism on his Facebook page. His sentence was upheld on 

February 23, 2016, by the Edku Misdemeanor Court.

No Photo 

Available
SELECTED BLASPHEMY CASES

3

EGYPT

GAD YOUSEF YOUNAN 

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Coptic 

Christian

April 7, 2015 Contempt of religion 

(Article 98 (F) 

Egyptian Penal Code)

December 2015 3 years’ imprisonment 

(Released on bail 

pending appeal) 

SUMMARY

Gad Yousef Younan, an Egyptian teacher at a Coptic Christian school, was arrested and charged on 

April 7, 2015 with “contempt of religion”, along with four of his students, because he filmed a short 

private video in which four of his students mocked ISIS. Younan was sentenced to three years in 

prison in December 2015, and he and his family were expelled from his village after a “reconciliation 

session” with local authorities. Younan was released on bail pending the appeal of his case. In 2015, 

his four students were sentenced to five years in prison in a separate trial. In April 2016, the four 

students fled Egypt and reportedly are seeking asylum in Switzerland.

INDONESIA

ANDRY CAHYA

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Gafatar follower 

(also known as 

Millah Abraham)

May 25, 2016 Blasphemy 

(Article 156(a), 

Indonesian 

Criminal Code)

March 7, 2017 3 years’ imprisonment

SUMMARY

Andry Cahya, along with his father Ahmad Musadeq and Mahful Muis Tumanurung (see below), are 

leaders of the banned spiritual movement Gafatar. He currently is serving a three-year sentence for 

blasphemy; the court acquitted him of “rebellion” charges under Articles 107 and 110 of the Criminal Code. Mr. Tumanurung and Mr. Musadeq previously had been convicted of blasphemy in 2006 

for establishing the Al-Qiyadah al-Islamiyah movement. After their release, they formed the Gafatar 

spiritual movement in 2012, which the government disbanded for deviating from Islam in 2015 after 

the country’s top Muslim clerical body issued a fatwa pronouncing Gafatar heretical.2

No Photo 

Available
U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

4

INDONESIA

SANDY HARTONO

CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Transmitting religiously defamatory 

material over the Internet 

(Article 28(2), Electronic Information 

and Transactions Law)

September 20, 2011 6 years’ imprisonment and a 

500 million rupiah fine 

SUMMARY

Sandy Hartono was convicted of disseminating religiously defamatory material over the Internet 

under Article 28(2) of Indonesia’s Electronic Information and Transactions Law. These charges arose 

from Mr. Hartono’s Facebook posts that allegedly slandered Islam and the Prophet Muhammed. In 

2011, an Indonesian court sentenced him to six years in prison.

AHMAD MUSADEQ

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Gafatar follower 

(also known as 

Millah Abraham)

May 25, 2016 Blasphemy 

(Article 156a, 

Indonesian 

Criminal Code)

March 7, 2017 5 years’ imprisonment

SUMMARY

Ahmad Musadeq, along with his son, Andry Cahya (see above), and Mahful Muis Tumanurung (see 

below), are leaders of the banned spiritual movment Gafatar. He currently is serving a five-year prison 

sentence for blasphemy; the court acquitted him of “rebellion” charges under Articles 107 and 110 of 

the Criminal Code. Mr. Tumanurung and Mr. Musadeq previously had been convicted of blasphemy 

in 2006 for establishing the Al-Qiyadah al-Islamiyah movement. After their release, they formed the 

Gafatar spiritual movement in 2012, which the government disbanded for deviating from Islam in 

2015 after the country’s top Muslim clerical body issued a fatwa pronouncing Gafatar heretical.3

No Photo 

Available
SELECTED BLASPHEMY CASES

5

INDONESIA

SEBASTIAN JOE

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Muslim July 3, 2012 Initial: Blasphemy 

(Article 156(a), Indonesian 

Criminal Code); 

Second: Disseminating 

information aimed at 

inciting religious hatred 

or hostility (Article 28(2), 

Electronic Information 

and Transactions Law)

Initial: 

November 2012; 

Second: 

January 2013

Initial: 4 years’ 

Imprisonment; 

Second: 1-year 

imprisonment

SUMMARY

Sebastian Joe was convicted of blasphemy under Article 156(a) of the Indonesian Criminal Code for 

Facebook posts that some Muslim hardliners from the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) considered to 

insult Islam. The Ciamis District Court sentenced Sebastian Joe to four years in prison in November 

2012. In 2013, the Bandung High Court convicted him of violating Article 28(2) of Indonesia’s Electronic Information and Transactions Law prohibiting the transmission of material deemed religiously 

defamatory over the Internet, sentencing Sebastian Joe to an additional year in prison.4

BASUKI “AHOK” TJAHAJA PURNAMA

RELIGION CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Christian Blasphemy (Article 156(a), Indonesian 

Criminal Code)

May 9, 2017 2 years’ imprisonment

SUMMARY

The blasphemy charges brought against Ahok stemmed from a September 2016 speech in which 

he encouraged voters not to be dissuaded from voting for him in the February 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election because the Qur’an tells Muslims not to align with Christians or Jews. Ahok, who 

is a Christian of Chinese descent, later apologized for his remarks. Muslim hardliners, such as the 

Indonesian Council of Ulema and the Islamic Defenders Front, called on the authorities to arrest or 

imprison Ahok, or even sentence him to death. Many upset by the speech viewed a video recording 

online containing a caption which edited Ahok’s remarks to suggest he insulted the Qur’an and Islam 

rather than his political opponents. After losing the second-round election, Ahok was found guilty of 

blasphemy on May 9, 2017, and sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, a harsher sentence than what 

the prosecutors had requested. On May 23, 2017, Ahok dropped his appeal, though at the time of 

writing, an appeal filed by prosecutors is still pending.5
U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

6

INDONESIA

MAHFUL MUIS TUMANURUNG

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Gafatar follower 

(also known as 

Millah Abraham)

May 25, 2016 Blasphemy 

(Article 156a, 

Indonesian 

Criminal Code)

March 7, 2017 5 years’ imprisonment

SUMMARY

Mahful Muis Tumanurung, along with Ahmad Musadeq and his son Andry Cahya (see above), are 

leaders of the banned spiritual Gafatar. He currently is serving a five-year prison sentence for blasphemy; the court acquitted him of “rebellion” charges under Articles 107 and 100 of the Criminal 

Code. Mr. Tumanurung and Mr. Musadeq previously had been convicted of blasphemy in 2006 for 

establishing the Al-Qiyadah al-Islamiyah movement. After their release, they formed the Gafatar 

spiritual movement in 2012, which the government disbanded for deviating from Islam in 2015 after 

the country’s top Muslim clerical body issued a fatwa pronouncing Gafatar heretical.6
SELECTED BLASPHEMY CASES

7

IRAN

AYATOLLAH MOHAMMAD KAZEMEINI BOROUJERDI

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Shi’a 

Muslim

October 7, 2006 30 charges, including 

enmity against God and 

national security; delivering 

speeches and provoking 

public opinions against the 

government; calling Velayate-Faqih illegitimate; accusing 

the revolution’s founder 

and leader of innovating in 

religion and lying; having 

relationships with famous 

personalities opposed to 

the revolution; accusing high 

ranking government officials 

of neglecting people’s rights 

and requests; using the 

term “religious dictatorship” 

instead of “Islamic Republic” 

in interviews with foreign 

television and radio stations; 

fabricating a new religion; 

abusing his clergy frock

June 10, 2007 Initial Sentence: 

Death 

(shortened to 

11 years’ imprisonment on 

appeal)

SUMMARY

Despite being an adherent of the dominant form of Islam in Iran, Ayatollah Mohammad Kazemeini 

Boroujerdi repeatedly drew the Iranian government’s ire for his advocacy of the separation of religion 

and state. He also had spoken out on behalf of the rights of Iran’s religious minorities and the Shi’a 

Muslim majority. A special court tried him (and 17 of his followers) and sentenced him to death on 

spurious charges, including “enmity against God” and spreading propaganda against the regime. 

After an appeal, the death sentence was revoked and he was sentenced to eleven years in prison. 

Given the poor prison conditions, torture, and a lack of adequate medical treatment, his health has 

deteriorated. He suffers from heart and respiratory problems, kidney stone complications, and a loss 

of 80 percent of his vision due to cataracts.7 

Status: Under house arrest.
U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

8

IRAN

MOHAMMAD ALI TAHERI

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Erfan-e 

Halgheh 

(Iranian 

mysticism)

May 4, 2011 Initial: insulting religious 

sanctities; immoral 

contact with women; 

interfering in medical 

science; earning illegitimate funds; distributing 

audio-visual products 

and use of academic 

titles; 

Second: spreading 

corruption on earth; 

establishing a diversionary cult; 

Third: spreading corruption on earth; engaging 

in medical practices; 

membership in the 

banned People’s Fadai 

Guerrilla Organization of 

Iran (PFGOI)

Initial: 

October 30, 2011; 

Subsequent: 

July 2015

Initial: 5 years’ 

imprisonment; 

74 lashes; 900 

million Toman fine 

($300,000 USD 

equivalent); 

Subsequent: 

Death (which was 

overturned)

SUMMARY

Mohammad Ali Taheri is an Iranian researcher and the founder of a spiritual movement that promotes 

alternative medical theories. He was first arrested in 2010 on charges of “acting against national security” and was held in solitary confinement for over three months. He was arrested again in May 2011 

and eventually sentenced to five years in prison for blasphemy, 74 lashes for touching the wrists of 

female patients, and 900 million Toman (approximately $300,000) for “interfering in medical science,” 

“earning illegitimate funds,” and “distribution of audio-visual products and use of academic titles.” 

After completing his five-year sentence and paying the fine, he unexpectedly was charged with “corruption on earth” for publishing several books on spirituality and sentenced to death in August 2015, 

a decision that the Iranian Supreme Court overturned. Despite the Supreme Court ruling and Taheri’s 

completion of his five-year prison term, he remains detained, and additional charges, including 

“spreading corruption on earth”, have been brought against him.8

Status update: In August 2017, Taheri was once more sentenced to death following a third trial on 

charges of “spreading corruption on earth.” Taheri’s attorney announced his intention to appeal the 

ruling to the Supreme Court.
SELECTED BLASPHEMY CASES

9

PAKISTAN

IDREES AHMAD

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Ahmadi December 5, 2016 Four counts, under 

Pakistan Penal Code 

298-B and 298-C, and 

Section 9 and 11-W of 

Anti-Terrorism Act

May 31, 2017 Three years’ rigorous 

imprisonment and 

fine of 50,000 rupees

SUMMARY

Idrees Ahmad, an employee of the Ahmadiyya community’s central offices and the Zia ul Islam Printing Press in Rabwah, was arrested and charged under Pakistan’s Penal Code and Anti-Terrorism Act. 

On December 5, 2016, the Punjab province’s Counter Terrorism Department raided the offices on 

suspicions that the offices were producing Ahmaddiyya publications for distribution. During the raid 

police reportedly beat Ahmad and several others, including Saba-ul-Zafar (see below). 

JAFFAR ALI

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Muslim May 19, 2015 Blasphemy

(Section 295-C 

and 386, 

Pakistani Penal 

Code); Extortion

June 27, 2016 Death plus 35 years; 

8,000,000 rupee fine 

(About $76,000 USD) 

(reports vary on the 

amount of the fine levied).

SUMMARY

Jaffar Ali and Javed Naz (see below) former employees of Locus Science School, located in Gujranwala, Punjab province, who had been fired for allegedly leaking the contents of exams to students, 

allegedly attempted to blackmail the school’s principal, Anjum Naz Sindhu (see below), using a 

recording of supposedly blasphemous remarks made by Sindhu during a speech at the school. 

Sindhu notified authorities that he was being blackmailed, and the police arrested Ali and Naz for 

handling the blasphemous recordings on their phones. The cases are under appeal with the Punjab 

Province High Court.

No Photo 

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U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

10

PAKISTAN

MUHAMMAD ALI

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE

Muslim October 14, 2016 Defiling of Holy Qur’an 

(295-B, Pakistani Penal Code)

Not yet adjudicated. 

SUMMARY

Muhammad Ali, a seminary student, and his teacher Qari Mumtaz (see below), were arrested in the 

Kasur district, Punjab Province on charges of defiling the Qur’an, after neighbors reported that Ali 

was burning pages of the Qur’an. When confronted by a neighbor, Ali claimed Mumtaz had taught 

him that burning the pages of the Qur’an and then burying them was an acceptable way to dispose of 

old Qur’ans. Applications to be released on bail until trial have been denied. 

AASIA BIBI

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Roman 

Catholic

June 14, 2009 Blasphemy 

(Section 295-C, 

Pakistani Penal Code)

November 2010 Death and fine

SUMMARY

After getting into a dispute with fellow farmhands in 2009, Aasia Bibi was accused of blasphemy. In 

November 2010, a judge sentenced her to death by hanging and to pay a fine of roughly $1,000. In 

October 2015, she was placed in isolation reportedly for her own safety, as other prisoners convicted 

of blasphemy had been killed while in prison. After a series of unsuccessful appeals and public outcry 

from the international community and high-profile figures in Pakistan, the Supreme Court suspended the death sentence pending appeal. In October 2016, the Pakistani Supreme Court delayed 

Ms. Bibi’s final appeal hearing after a judge recused himself; she remains imprisoned and the hearing 

has not yet been rescheduled.9

No Photo 

Available
SELECTED BLASPHEMY CASES

11

PAKISTAN

NABEEL CHOHAN

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE

Christian September 18, 2016 Blasphemy (Section 295/295-A, 

Pakistani Penal Code)

Not yet adjudicated. 

SUMMARY

In September 2016 in Punjab province, a Christian, Nabeel Chohan, was arrested for “liking” and 

sharing an allegedly derogatory photo of the Kaaba on Facebook. Authorities also allege he stored 

the picture on his phone. He was arrested after a Muslim friend of one of Chohan’s Facebook friends 

reported the image to the police. Chohan’s lawyer claims Chohan is illiterate, and that the social 

media account was created by his Muslim friends for ulterior motives. Chohan’s arrest caused other 

Christians to flee the area. He has been denied bail. 

NADEEM JAMES

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE

Christian July 10, 2016 Blasphemy 

(Section 295-C, Section 298-A, 

Pakistani Penal Code)

Not yet adjudicated. 

SUMMARY

On July 10, 2016, Nadeem James, a Christian man, was arrested in Gujrat, Punjab province—after 

intense community pressure—for sending so-called blasphemous messages on the social networking 

app WhatsApp. He initially fled his family home in an effort to avoid arrest. However, police took a 

number of James’ female relatives into “protective custody”, during which their family claims they 

were beaten in an effort to force James to appear. The case caused many Christians to flee the area 

for fear of attacks by the community. Eventually, James was arrested and he was charged with blasphemy. His case is pending in a Punjab province lower court. 

No Photo 

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No Photo 

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U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

12

PAKISTAN

QARI MUMTAZ

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE

Muslim October 14, 2016 Defiling of Holy Qur’an (Section 

295-B, Pakistani Penal Code)

Not yet adjudicated.

SUMMARY

Teacher Qari Mumtaz, along with his 16-year old seminary student, Muhammad Ali (see above), was 

arrested in Kasur district, Punjab province on charges of defiling the Qur’an, after neighbors reported 

that Ali was burning pages of the Qur’an. When confronted by a neighbor, Ali claimed Mumtaz had 

taught him that burning the pages of the Qur’an and then burying them was an acceptable way to 

dispose of old Qur’ans. Applications to be released on bail until trial have been denied. 

JAVED NAZ

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Catholic May 19, 2015 Blasphemy 

(Section 295-C 

and 386, Pakistani 

Penal Code); 

Extortion

June 27, 2016 Death plus 35 years; 

8,000,000 rupee fine 

(about $76,000 USD) 

(reports vary on the 

amount of the fine levied)

SUMMARY

Javed Naz and Jaffar Ali (see above), former employees of Locus Science School, located in Gujranwala, Punjab province, had been fired allegedly for leaking the contents of exams to students. They 

reportedly attempted to blackmail the school’s principal, Anjum Naz Sindhu (see below), using a 

recording of supposedly blasphemous remarks Sindhu made during a speech at the school. Sindhu 

notified authorities that he was being blackmailed, and the police arrested Ali and Naz for handling 

the blasphemous recordings on their phones. The cases are under appeal with the Punjab Province 

High Court.

No Photo 

Available

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Available
SELECTED BLASPHEMY CASES

13

PAKISTAN

ABDUL SHAKOOR

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Ahmadi December 2, 2015 Blasphemy and stirring 

sectarian hatred (298-

C, Pakistani Penal Code 

and clauses 8 through 

11, Anti-Anti-Terrorism 

Act of 1997)

January 2, 2016 5 years’ 

imprisonment for 

blasphemy charges; 

3 years’ 

imprisonment on 

terrorism charges

SUMMARY

Abdul Shakoor, an 80-year old optician and store owner in Rabwah, Punjab Province, was detained 

for propagating the Ahmadiyya faith by selling copies of the Qur’an and Ahmadiyya publications. His 

store manager, Mazhar Sipra, was also charged with violating 298-C and clauses 8 through 11 of the 

Anti-Terrorism Act. While Sipra was acquitted of the blasphemy charges, Shakoor was given a 5-year 

sentence under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Both men have filed appeals.10

ANJUM NAZ SINDHU

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Catholic May 19, 2015 Blasphemy 

(Section 295-C, 

153-A, Pakistani 

Penal Code)

June 27, 2016 Death; 500,000 rupee 

fine (about $4,800 USD)

SUMMARY

Anjum Naz Sindhu, owner of a chain of schools in Gujranwala and a Christian, gave a speech at Locus 

Science School in which he allegedly committed blasphemy. A school employee, Javed Naz (see 

above), attended the speech and reportedly kept a record of what Sindhu said in order to blackmail 

him. After Naz was fired by Sindhu for allegedly leaking the content of exams to students, he and 

Jaffar Ali (see above), a Muslim and friend of Naz, allegedly attempted to blackmail Sindhu using the 

purported recording. Sindhu notified the police of the blackmail attempt. Subsequently, all three 

men were apprehended for alleged blasphemy. All eleven witnesses in the case were police officers, 

rather than students or other faculty members who were present at the speech, and there was no 

direct evidence presented against Sindhu. 

No Photo 

Available
U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

14

PAKISTAN

SABA-UL-ZAFAR

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Ahmadi December 5, 2016 Four counts, under 

Pakistan Penal Code 

298-B and 298-C, and 

Section 9 and 11-W of 

Anti-Terrorism Act

May 31, 2017 Three years’ rigorous 

imprisonment and 

fine of 50,000 rupees

SUMMARY

Saba-ul-Zafar, an employee of the Ahmadiyya community’s central offices and the Zia ul Islam Printing 

Press in Rabwah, was arrested and charged under Pakistan’s Penal Code and Anti-Terrorism Act. On 

December 5, 2016, the Punjab province’s Counter Terrorism Department raided the offices on suspicions that the offices were producing Ahmaddiyya publications for distribution. During the raid police 

reportedly beat ul-Zafar and several others, including Idrees Ahmad (see above). 

No Photo 

Available
SELECTED BLASPHEMY CASES

15

RUSSIAN FEDERATION

RUSLAN SOKOLOVSKY

RELIGION CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Atheist Incitement of Hatred or Enmity, as well 

as Abasement of Human Dignity (Article 282); Public actions expressing clear 

disrespect to society with the aim to insult 

religious feelings of believers committed 

in places for religious worship (Article 

148.1); Illegal possession of equipment 

for the secret acquisition of information 

(Article 138.1)

May 11, 2017 3.5-year suspended 

sentence

SUMMARY

Ruslan Sokolovsky is a young blogger and law student from central Russia. On August 11, 2016, 

Sokolovsky posted a video on YouTube in which he played the popular mobile game Pokémon Go 

in one of the biggest churches in Yekaterinburg. On September 2, police arrested him on charges of 

inciting hatred and offending religious sensibilities under Article 282 and Article 148.2 of the Russian 

Criminal Code. A judge ruled that Sokolovsky remain under house arrest while awaiting trial, but he 

was later jailed after receiving an unauthorized visit from his fiancée. While in jail he was placed on 

two “watch lists,” one for suicide and the other for “extremism.” In February, he was again released 

to house arrest. On May 11, 2017, Sokolovsky received a three-and-a-half year suspended sentence.11
U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

16

SAUDI ARABIA

RAIF BADAWI

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Muslim June 7, 2012 Initial: Insulting Islam 

through electronic channels; Apostasy; Setting up 

a website that undermines 

general security; Ridiculing religious figures; 

Going beyond the realm 

of obedience; Founding 

of an Internet forum that 

violates Islamic values and 

propagates liberal thought

Initial: 

July 30, 2013; 

Increase: 

May 7, 2014; 

Initial: 7 years’ 

imprisonment and 

600 lashes; 

On Appeal: 

10 years imprisonment, 1,000 

lashes, and 

1 million riyal fine 

(about $266,000 

USD)

SUMMARY

Raif Badawi is a blogger and activist who was arrested in June 2012 on the charge of insulting Islam 

through electronic channels. On July 30, 2013, the Jeddah Criminal Court sentenced Badawi to seven 

years in prison and 600 lashes for founding an Internet forum that “violates Islamic values and propagates liberal thought.” On May 7, 2014, an appeals court increased the punishment to 10 years in 

prison, 1000 lashes, and a fine of 1 million riyals (about $266,000 USD). He also was banned from any 

media work or foreign travel for 10 years after his release from prison. The sentence called for Badawi 

to be lashed 50 times a week for 20 consecutive weeks. Immediately after the first set of 50 lashes 

was carried out in January 2016, numerous human rights groups and several governmental entities, 

including USCIRF, condemned the lashing. Badawi has not received additional lashings, reportedly 

due to international outrage and a medical doctor’s finding that he could not physically endure more 

lashings. However, Badawi’s family believes that the lashings could resume at any time.12
SELECTED BLASPHEMY CASES

17

SAUDI ARABIA

ASHRAF FAYADH

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Muslim January 1, 2014 Apostasy; Blaspheming 

the divine self; Blaspheming the Prophet 

Muhammad; Promotion 

of Atheism; Refutation 

of the Qu’ran; Denial of 

the day of resurrection; 

Inappropriate relations 

with the other gender 

Initial: 

May 26, 2014; 

Retrial: 

November 17, 2015; 

Appellate 

Decrease: 

February 2016

Initial: Four years’ 

imprisonment and 

800 lashes; 

Retrial: Death; 

Appellate Decrease: 

8 years’ imprisonment; 800 lashes

SUMMARY

Ashraf Fayadh is a Saudi poet and artist who in November 2015 was sentenced to death for apostasy 

for allegedly questioning religion and spreading atheist thought in his poetry. In February 2016, an 

appeals court quashed the death sentence and issued a new verdict of eight years in prison and 800 

lashes to be administered on 16 occasions, which have not yet been administered. According to his 

lawyer, Fayadh also must renounce his poetry in Saudi state media.13

SHANKAR PONNAM

RELIGION DETAINED SINCE CHARGES SENTENCING DATE SENTENCE

Hindu November 21, 2016 Blasphemy; 

Offending religious sentiments

January 25, 2017 Four months’ imprisonment; 5,000 Saudi Riyal 

($1,350 USD) fine

SUMMARY

Shankar Ponnam is an Indian agricultural engineer who posted on social media a Photoshopped 

image of the Hindu deity Shiva sitting atop the Kaaba, the holiest site in Islam. A group of Indian 

Muslims filmed themselves beating Ponnam and posted the video on social media. Ponnam was 

arrested at a farm near Riyadh on charges of blasphemy. On January 25, 2017, he reportedly was 

sentenced to four months in prison and a fine of 5,000 Saudi riyals (approximately $1,350).14
U.S. COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

18

ENDNOTES

1. http://dailynewsegypt.com/2017/02/27/616495/ 

No Source

2. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-indonesia-religion-blasphemy-idUSKBN16F0Z3 

Source: Antara Foto/M Agung Rajasa/ via REUTERS

3. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-indonesia-religion-blasphemy-idUSKBN16F0Z3 

Source: Antara Foto/M Agung Rajasa/via REUTERS Ahmad Musadeq

4. https://twitter.com/andreasharsono/status/463460301229158401 No Source

5. https://www.aseantoday.com/2017/02/no-clear-winner-for-jakarta-election-as-divisive-secondround-looms/ 

No Source

6. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-indonesia-religion-blasphemy-idUSKBN16F0Z3

Source: Antara Foto/M Agung Rajasa/ via REUTERS

7. http://www.iranfocus.com/en/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=20952:letter-from-evin-prison-by-ayatollah-boroujerdi&catid=4&Itemid=109 

No Source

8. https://www.iranhumanrights.org/2015/02/mohammad-ali-taheri-2/

No Source

9. http://www.newsgram.com/did-pakistan-supreme-court-come-to-the-rescue-of-blasphemy-law-victim-asia-bibi/ 

Source: Wikimedia

10. https://www.change.org/p/basharat-noorullah-80-year-old-man-sentenced-to-8-years-imprisonment-under-pakistans-blasphemy-law

No Source

11. http://www.inquisitr.com/4211558/russian-blogger-ruslan-sokolovsky-convicted-for-playingpokemon-go-in-church/

Source: Alexei Bulatov/AP Images

12. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/raif-badawi-saudi-arabia-urged-to-haltflogging-of-liberal-blogger-sentenced-to-1000-lashes-9967008.html 

No Source

13. http://www.mintpressnews.com/213472-2/213472/

Source: Ashraf Fayadh/Instagram

14. https://hinduexistence.org/2016/12/26/free-ponnam-shankar-from-saudi-jail-to-save-him-fromsharia-execution/

No Source

UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON 

INTERNATIONAL RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

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