Christian woman, Asia Bibi, has been released from the Multan jail in Pakistan, according to her lawyer, after having been acquitted of blasphemy by the country's Supreme Court.
The mother-of-five had spent eight years on death row after being convicted in 2010 of insulting the Prophet Muhammad during an apparent argument with neighbours.
There had been media reports that Asia Bibi had left the country but that has been refuted by Minister of State for Interior, Shehryar Afridi, in an interview to US media. He said the government is providing for her safety but that she could not be placed on the Exit Control List, until she was proven guilty by a court of law.
Asia Bibi's lawyer, Saiful Mulook, fled to Europe saying it was "not possible for me to live in Pakistan". He's currently in the Netherlands.
Earlier the president of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani tweeted about her release.
After her aquittal on October 30th and under pressure and protests led by the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Party, the Pakistan government said it would begin proceedings to bar her from leaving Pakistan.
However, her husband had argued that they were in danger and had pleaded to other countries for asylum.
Antonio Tajani has invited Asia Bibi to the European Parliament.
The judgement that was reserved on 8th October 2018 after hearing the appeal, against a trial court’s order of death penalty, was announced on 31st October.
Asia Bibi was accused of blasphemy in June 2009.
Protests erupted in various parts of Pakistan by different religious groups, after Bibi's acquittal, resulting in blockage of major roads and highways. The demonstrations also resultedthe in closure of education and health institutes in several cities.
Australia has shown concern about the welfare of Asia Bibi and earlier called for its release.
"We very much welcome the 31 October decision of the Supreme Court of Pakistan to overturn Ms Bibi’s 2010 conviction for blasphemy and order her release." A spokesperson of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said.
"The Australian Government remains deeply concerned about the insecurity faced by religious minorities in Pakistan. As a matter of principle, Australia opposes the death penalty in all circumstances, for all people.
"Australia will also continue to use its membership of the Human Rights Council, other relevant fora and bilateral representations to raise concerns about the misuse of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws and their impact on minorities." The Spokesperson added.
Liberal Federal MP Michael Sukkar had called for cutting foreign aid to Pakistan.
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