LAHORE, Feb 20: An additional district and sessions judge on Tuesday recorded evidence in the first-ever video trial in a blasphemy case.

Counsel for the blasphemy accused said the video trial had been arranged for security reasons.

The accused remained in the Kot Lakhpat jail, and appeared on a screen installed as part of the video trial in the conference room of the Lahore district and sessions court.

Accused Younuis Masih of Chungi Amar Sadhu has been charged with using derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him). However, the lawyer claimed the case against his client was concocted.

The lawyer told the court that in September 2005 the Christian community had arranged a spiritual gathering which also included a ‘qawwali’. Neighbour Abdul Aziz, also a complainant in the case, objected to the qawwali item, saying how Christians could hold an Islamic ritual. The argument led to an exchange of harsh words in which the complainant alleged that the accused had used some derogatory remarks.

The court on Tuesday recorded evidence besides hearing the investigation officer.

The court will take up further proceedings on Feb 27.