E/CN.4/1993/62 page 80 version of the Koran which was found in his possession. Muslim clergy reportedly pronounced a fatwa (religious ruling) against Mr. Iqbal declaring him a murtid (an infidel whose killing would constitute a religious deed). The District and Session judge who conducted his trial reportedly refused to release him on bail on the grounds that Mr. Iqbal would be safer in prison as fanatics would put his life in danger if he were to be released. The Supreme Court of Lahore is said to have also rejected his requests to be released on bail. It has been alleged that during his incarceration, pressure was constantly exerted on Mr. Iqbal to renounce his faith. The Special Rapporteur was also informed that a list of persons who had converted to Christianity in the past, a number of whom have become bishops in the meantime, had been made public recently. It is feared that they may face hardships as a result. Chand Barkat, a prosperous Christian shopkeeper from Karachi, was arrested on charges of blasphemy on 8 October 1991, shortly after having had a dispute with a Muslim shopkeeper. His trial has been postponed several times since the persons who had accused him of the offence did not appear at court. Eyewitnesses have reportedly stated that Mr. Barkat never said anything to warrant such charges. Mr. Barkat is said to have been flogged and his requests to be released on bail were reportedly rejected. He continues to be detained in Karachi Central Prison. It is feared that Mr. Barkat was denounced on the basis of professional rivalry. Bashir Masih and Gul Pervaiz, two Christian youths from Faisalabad, were arrested on 10 December 1991, reportedly on charges of defiling the name of the Prophet. It has been alleged that a number of clergymen have issued a religious ruling condemning them to death. Mr. Pervaiz is said to still be detained. Gul Masih and Bashir Masih, two young men from Sarghoda, were arrested at the beginning of January 1992, reportedly on charges of blasphemy, and are said to have been released soon thereafter. When they learned of the release, more than 200 members of the Muslim clergy allegedly organized a protest meeting. Ameer Maulana Jalal-uddin, who presided over the protest meeting, is said to have told the audience that all Christian leaders should be immediately hanged and in particular the two young men who had been accused of blasphemy. He reportedly stated that they were to be summarily killed since more than 200 members of the clergy had pronounced a fatwa (religious ruling) condemning them to death. Bantu Masih, 65, a prosperous Christian shopkeeper from Lahore, is said to have been arrested on charges of blasphemy. He is reported to have been attacked at the police station by a Muslim youth armed with a dagger. Mr. Masih was seriously injured and spent a month recovering in a hospital. He was reportedly told that he would not be accused of blasphemy if he chose to drop the charges against his assailant. Mr. Masih is alleged to be hiding for fear that his flourishing business would continue to cause envy among Muslim shopkeepers.