Nabeel Masih, a Pakistani Christian who was charged with “blasphemy” in September 2016, has died at the age of 24.
Nabeel was reported to have suffered from liver failure, his health having deteriorated during his imprisonment.
He was sentenced to ten years in prison in May 2017, but was released on bail pending an appeal in March 2021.
Nabeel Masih, who became the youngest person to be charged with “blasphemy” at the age of 16, has died aged 24 
Because of continual delays the appeal was never heard in full, and Nabeel was never acquitted of his alleged crime.
Nabeel began to suffer ill health during his imprisonment, but it was reported that prison authorities failed to provide adequate treatment. It is believed that his health was worsened by unsanitary conditions and psychological pressure.
He died on 31 July, after two days on life support at a hospital in Lahore, Punjab.
Pakistan’s “blasphemy” laws are often used to make false accusations in order to settle personal grudges. Christians are especially vulnerable, as simply stating their beliefs can be construed as “blasphemy” and the lower courts usually favour the testimony of Muslims, in accordance with sharia (Islamic law).
In July Amir Masih, a 56-year-old Christian man from Lahore, was arrested on charges of “blasphemy” that Barnabas aid contacts reported were entirely baseless.
How you can pray
Pray for Nabeel’s bereaved family and friends, asking that they will be comforted in the knowledge that the Lord Jesus Christ “has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10). Pray also for others wrongly accused, asking that they will experience the justice that in this life Nabeel was denied.
