Police: Muslim Cleric Framed Girl in Pakistan Blasphemy Case

Pakistani police say a Muslim cleric planted evidence to link a Christian girl to blasphemy -- a new twist in a case that has attracted worldwide attention in recent days and re-ignited national debate about the controversial blasphemy law, CNN reports. The imam, Khalid Jadoon Chishti, will himself face blasphemy charges for tearing pages out of a Quran to use as evidence against the girl, said Islamabad police chief Bin Yamin. This latest development may make it easier for 14-year-old Rimsha Masih -- who was arrested last month after a neighbor accused her of burning pages containing texts from the Quran -- to be released on bail at her next court hearing. Police arrested Chishti Saturday after three witnesses told a judge about his actions, and he was sent to jail for 14 days. He has denied the allegations.