ASIA/PAKISTAN - Christian tortured and killed while in police custody

Laohre (Agenzia Fides) - A 35-year-old Christian Rakha Shahzad, was found dead after being tortured while in police custody in Lahore. The man was under arrest on charges of "sale of alcohol and drugs". As reported by his family, "Shahzad died due to police torture", while agents say he died because of a "heart attack" during the interrogation.
Fr. Francis Nadeem, Provincial of the Capuchins in Pakistan talks about the bewilderment of the Christian community "due to the umpteenth extrajudicial killing". Family members of the deceased started protests in Lahore also trying to forcibly enter the police station. Three agents were denounced and an investigation has been initiated. The body of the man was transferred to hospital where an autopsy will be carried out to determine the cause of death. Shahzad’s brother declares that the man "was arrested for no reason" and asks the state to take care of his family.
The Christian lawyer Mushtaq Gill told Fides: "The whole world is still deeply shocked and outraged for the lynching of the Christian couple in Kasur, but violence continues: it is urgent to repeal laws that are routinely used to persecute Christians and ensure justice and legality, starting with the work and the behavior of the police and public officials". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 25/11/2014)