Pakistan: Muslim cleric at center of ‘blasphemy’ case freed

Khalid Jadoon Chishti, the Muslim cleric charged with falsely accusing a Christian girl of blasphemy, has been freed.

A Pakistani court dismissed the charges against Chishti citing a lack of evidence, various media reports said Saturday.

Chishti was arrested last year for allegedly framing 14-year-old Rimsha Masih, who he had accused of burning pages of the Quran.

He allegedly planted pages of the Islamic religious text in a shopping bag containing ash, which was found in her possession.

The teenager, who is said to have learning difficulties, spent three weeks in jail.

She was released on bail after the case attracted worldwide attention. 

She later fled to Canada with her family.

Burning a sacred Islamic text in Pakistan can result in a life sentence, while insulting the prophet Mohammed is punishable by death.