According to the local source, the four people arrested in connection with
Fr. George's murder have been released on bail.  The investigation goes on,
but there are doubts about the  fairness of the process.  Local people
believe that those arrested were not the culprits.

Fr. George was shot and killed by 6 gunmen at his residence in Renala Khurd
in July 2003.  Local people believe that the killing was related to a
dispute over denationalization of Catholic schools.  Local sources say that
such incidents highlight the lack of protection against violence for
Christians and other minorities.  Hotline issued UA030818(7) to support
their efforts.

Source: Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace

29 September 2003

The police have made no significant progress in apprehending the murderers of Fr. George Ibrahim, even though Bishop Joseph Coutts of Faisalabad, accompanied by the Joint Action Committee, approached high civil and police officials.

In accordance with their claim that the armed murders were thieves, the police have charged four persons with the murder of Fr. George. The circumstantial evidence presented by the police is very weak and the four accused claim to be innocent. Meanwhile, a number of Christians and Muslims can bear witness that the former headmistress of a convent school had threatened Fr. George with 'dire consequences' on a number of occasions.

The four accused are being held in Sahiwal jail, a city about 50 kilometers from Renala Khurd, and the town where Fr.George was murdered. The Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Church of Faisalabad is currently following the case, and have already appealed in the High court for the acquittal of the four accused persons. No date for the court hearing has been set so far.

The Justice & Peace Commission has expressed its dissatisfaction with the police's inefficiency in pursuing the matter. Protest walks, rallies, prayer services and press conferences have been held in over a dozen cities in Pakistan to encourage police action. It is hoped that, now that the matter is before the High Court, there is a better chance of obtaining a fair trial and acquittal of the innocent.

Christians and minorities in Pakistan have been vulnerable to violence in the past few years. Hotline issued UA030818(7) calling for a proper investigation into the murder case and highlighting the lack of protection against violence for Christians and minorities.

Source:
Justice and Peace Commission of Faisalabad