Pakistan’s Supreme Court on January 29 upheld the acquittal of a Christian woman who spent years on death row after being convicted of blasphemy.

The apex court also dismissed a petition filed by Islamists who have called for her execution.

“On merit, this petition is dismissed,” Chief Justice Asif Saeed Khosa said in court, saying the petitioners, led by a village prayer leader, had failed to point out any mistake in the original judgement.

Asia Bibi, a farm worker, was convicted in 2010 of making derogatory remarks about Islam after neighbours working in the fields with her objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was not Muslim.

She has always maintained her innocence in a case that has polarized Pakistan.

The Supreme Court’s quash ing of her sentence last October led to violent protests by religious hardliners who support strong blasphemy laws, while more liberal sections of society urged her release.

Hardliners had petitioned to overturn this ruling.

Asia Bibi – also known as Asia Noreen – was unable to leave Pakistan while an appeal request was pending.

“She should now be free to reunite with her family and seek safety in a country of her choice,” Amnesty International said in a statement.