Long-Awaited Verdict in the Ayub Brothers Death Row Case: A Day for Celebration and Heartbreak

Just hours ago, the Supreme Court of Pakistan announced its long-awaited judgment in the case of the Ayub brothers, who have spent more than a decade in prison and approximately nine years on death row after being falsely accused of blasphemy.

The Court acquitted Amoon Ayub, the younger of the two brothers, but upheld the conviction and death sentence of his brother, Qaisar.

At the ACLJ – and for all of our supporters who have prayed for and stood alongside this family – today is a day of both celebration and heartbreak.

The brothers were arrested after being accused of creating an online blog containing insulting material about the Prophet Muhammad. Qaisar was arrested in 2014, and Amoon was arrested in 2015. Both were sentenced to death in 2018, and their convictions were upheld by the Lahore High Court in 2022.

The ACLJ and our international affiliate in Pakistan, the Organization for Legal Aid (OLA), have represented Amoon since 2015. We later took on Qaisar’s case as well.

Since 2025, our attorneys have appeared before Pakistan’s Supreme Court to argue the brothers’ appeal. The Court scheduled the case for argument 13 times, but each hearing was postponed. Finally, on July 6, the Court heard the arguments and reserved its judgment.

Today that fight resulted in a tremendous victory for Amoon.

Obviously, our team is overjoyed for Amoon, while heartbroken for his brother. After talking to our team in Pakistan, I called Amoon’s wife, Huma. The first thing I said was, “Congratulations.”

She broke down in tears, thanking and praising God.

For 11 years, Huma has visited her husband in prison every week. Now, after more than a decade of separation, they will finally be together again.

I have visited the brothers in prison several times. During my visit last year, I shared a meal with them that Amoon’s wife had prepared. Amoon sat across from me behind the bars of his cell and told me, “I hope next time we eat a meal on the other side of these bars.”

God willing, I will soon be in Pakistan to make that happen.

Amoon’s release will take several days as the necessary paperwork is completed. Our team will work to ensure his safe release and movement to a secure location.

But our fight is not over.

Although Amoon has been acquitted, he will face serious threats to his safety if he remains in Pakistan. He may be forced to spend the rest of his life in hiding.

And Qaisar remains on death row.

We will file a revision petition asking the Pakistan Supreme Court to reconsider its decision to uphold Qaisar’s death sentence. The decision is deeply troubling and sets a dangerous precedent in Pakistan’s blasphemy cases.

So today, we celebrate Amoon’s acquittal – and we thank God for answering years of prayer.

But we also ask you to continue praying. Pray for Amoon’s safety as we work to get him to a secure location. Pray for Qaisar, his family, and his continued fight for justice. And pray for our team as we continue fighting for both brothers.

Sign our petition: Save Christian Brother Qaisar Ayub from Execution.