In January 2018, Patras Masih, a Pakistani Christian in Lahore, was accused of posting a blasphemous photo to Facebook. The photo allegedly showed “a man standing with his foot placed on the dome of a mosque resembling … an Islamic holy site.” The following month, Islamists held protests with gatherers numbering in the hundreds against Patras, calling for his execution. Protesters also threatened violence and property destruction. Many local Christians fled the area.

“They came with petrol bombs, bricks and sticks and threatened to burn down our houses.” - Pervaiz Akhter Naz, Patras’s grandfather

In the wake of the demonstrations against him, Patras turned himself in to police, who arrested him on blasphemy charges. The following week, police summoned Sajid Masih, Patras’s cousin, for interrogation. Sajid claims that during this interrogation, for which Patras was also present, he was subject to physical abuse. Then, several hours in, police ordered Sajid to perform oral sex on Patras. Rather than submit to this request, Sajid jumped from the window, plummeting to the ground four stories below, in a suicide attempt. He survived and was hospitalized.

“They later took me and Patras to the fourth floor of the building and started beating both of us. We were also told to call each other ‘Laanti’ (accursed), which my cousin complied with. After that, the FIA officials asked me to take off my cousin’s trousers and have sex with him. I refused to comply with their directives.” - Sajid Masih

Patras’ lawyer and local Christians claim the blasphemy accusation was the product of a personal feud, a claim disputed by Pakistani authorities.

In August 2022, Patras was granted bail by the Supreme Court of Pakistan.