A young Christian man was sentenced to death for blasphemy on March 27, over an allegation that triggered Muslim riots in Joseph Colony in 2013 that left hundreds of Christians homeless.
Sawan Masih (26), a father of three, was convicted under section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, which refers to defiling the name of Muhammad.
Consequently, rioters targeted his home and also broke into the properties of other Christian families, looting their goods before setting the houses on fire. A total of 178 houses, 75 shops and at least two churches were destroyed, leaving hundreds of Christians homeless and with nothing. Bibles were also burnt.
