Shafique

But blasphemy cases, about half of which involve Muslim suspects such as Shafique, also point to a more fundamental problem with grave implications for the nation's U.S.-backed fight against militancy: Pakistan's broken justice system, corrupt and lacking in expertise, often rewards vendettas and encourages radicalism.

Blasphemy trials in Pakistan reveal a fractured justice system Karin Brulliard 2010

But blasphemy cases, about half of which involve Muslim suspects such as Shafique, also point to a more fundamental problem with grave implications for the nation's U.S.-backed fight against militancy: Pakistan's broken justice system, corrupt and lacking in expertise, often rewards vendettas and encourages radicalism.

Redskins Insider Podcast -- The Washington Post Karin Brulliard 2010

The court sentenced Shafique to join about 7,600 others in Pakistan on death row, about 60 of whom are convicted blasphemers, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan.

Blasphemy trials in Pakistan reveal a fractured justice system Karin Brulliard 2010

Shafique, meanwhile, writes letters to his family from solitary confinement.

Blasphemy trials in Pakistan reveal a fractured justice system Karin Brulliard 2010

In the end, the key evidence against Shafique, now 22, was witness accounts and soiled scraps of pages from a Koran, which the judge deemed impossible to fake.

Blasphemy trials in Pakistan reveal a fractured justice system Karin Brulliard 2010

Shafique testified that the charges were personal and political, and that he "heatedly" loved Allah.

Blasphemy trials in Pakistan reveal a fractured justice system Karin Brulliard 2010

Four young men who did gave nearly identical statements about seeing Shafique curse the prophet and rip the Koran.

Blasphemy trials in Pakistan reveal a fractured justice system Karin Brulliard 2010

Shafique, an aspiring electrician, had accused his brother's wife of adultery.

Blasphemy trials in Pakistan reveal a fractured justice system Karin Brulliard 2010

But as Shafique waits on death row, his appeal stuck in Pakistan's glacial courts, no one is quite sure what to do.

Blasphemy trials in Pakistan reveal a fractured justice system Karin Brulliard 2010

Another resident, Mohammed Ibrahim, is the brother of the politician who accused Shafique and the father of one youth who testified.

Blasphemy trials in Pakistan reveal a fractured justice system Karin Brulliard 2010