After saving condemned Christian Asia Bibi from the gallows, her lawyer says he is facing the wrath of far-right believers- and wonders who will save him. But despite the threats against him, Saiful Mulook says he regrets nothing, and will continue his legal fight against intolerance.
Mulook’s latest victory saw the freeing of Asia Bibi – a Christian woman convicted of blasphemy, who spent nearly a decade on death row – after the Supreme Court overturned her conviction Wednesday.
“The verdict has shown that the poor, the minorities and the lowest segments of society can get justice in this country despite its shortcomings,” he told a foreign news agency immediately after the verdict.
“This is the biggest and happiest day of my life.” Mulook said he feels he is now a sitting duck with no security or escape plan.
“I think I have absolutely no safety. No security and I am the easiest target… anybody can kill me,” he said. The defense of Bibi was just the latest in a long line of controversial cases taken up by the barrister. Mulook says his life has not been the same since; he rarely socializes, lives in a constant state of hyper vigilance and has been inundated with threats. “If you conduct such cases you should be ready for the results and the consequences,” the greying 62-year-old explains. But Mulook said the risks have been worth the reward. “I think it’s better to die as a brave and strong man than to die as a mouse and fearful person,” he said. “I extend my legal help to all people.”
Published in Daily Times, November 2nd 2018.
