In 2011, Pakistani Christian brothers Qaisar and Amoon Ayub fled their country due to death threats they were receiving. They had been accused of posting content blasphemous against Islam on a personal website owned by Qaisar. Qaisar, however, claimed that the site had been inactive since 2009, and that a Muslim friend of his somehow reactivated it and posted content to it in Qaisar’s name. In addition, the initial motivation for the accusations leveled against them seems to be a workplace argument where Qaisar was blamed for an insult against a friend’s sister.

“This is a very unfortunate situation, as because of threats from hardliners, lower courts pass their responsibility to the higher court and then it takes years to prove the accused innocent.” - Nasir Saeed, director of the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement, on the arduous appeals process 

In any case, the brothers returned to Pakistan after they found it difficult to stay in other countries for extended periods of time, where they learned an official blasphemy case had been opened. They were each eventually charged and jailed for blasphemy in 2014, although it is not entirely clear why Amoon was charged with anything.

For almost four years, the two brothers—who left wives and children behind at home—languished in jail as the legal process dragged. Finally, in 2018, a trial was held for them. They were both sentenced to death. An appeals process is ongoing.