Judge in Pakistan grants bail to Christian girl accused of blasphemy

By Reza Sayah and Nasir Habib, CNN
updated 11:58 AM EDT, Fri September 7, 2012

Islamabad, Pakistan (CNN) -- A Pakistani judge on Friday granted bail to Rimsha, a 14-year-old Christian girl detained over accusations she burned pages of the Quran in a case that has heightened religious tensions in the volatile country.

The All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, which represents religious minorities in the country, will pay the sum of roughly $10,000 to secure Rimsha's release from jail, said Tahir Naveed Chaudhry, one of her lawyers and a leading member of the alliance.

Judge Muhammad Azam Khan said written details of his decision on the bail application would be released Saturday. It was not immediately clear when Rimsha would be released.

The judge's decision came after a lengthy argument Friday between Rimsha's lawyer speaking in court, Pervez Khan, and lawyers representing the accuser.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/07/world/asia/pakistan-girl-blasphemy/index.html