A PAKISTANI Christian who was facing the death penalty after being found guilty of insulting Islam has found out she'll be freed.
Mother-of-four Asia Bibi has been on death row since 2010 when she fell foul of the country's extremist blasphemy laws.
She was accused of making insulting remarks about Islam after her Muslim neighbours objected to her drinking water from their glass because she was Christian.
Bibi has always denied blaspheming.
The case has disgusted millions around the world and caused huge division in the majority Muslim country.
Two politicians in Pakistan who tried to get her released have been assassinated.
She has also been a target for hardline Islamists in Pakistan, who have vowed to retaliate if she's released.
The ultra-Islami TLP party earlier this month warned against any "concession or softness" for Bibi — who would have been the first woman to be executed for blasphemy.
In a statement before Wednesday's ruling the party said: "If there is any attempt to hand her over to a foreign country, there will be terrible consequences."
FURY: Fanatics are outraged the blasphemy conviction for Asia Bibi, right, was overturned (Pic: REUTERS/EPA)
GUARD: The Pakistani military protect the courthouse as Islamist fundamentalists gather (Pic: GETTY)
HARDLINE: Supporters of the fundamentalist TLP want Asia to be executed (Pic: REUTERS)
“If there is any attempt to hand her over to a foreign country, there will be terrible consequences”
TLP statement
Last November there were violent clashes in the capital Islamabad between police and TLP supporters.
Seven people were killed and more than 200 wounded as the city was brought to a halt.
Insulting the Prophet Muhammad is punishable by death under Pakistani law, and dozens have been killed following accusations, some by angry mobs.
Chief Justice Saqib Nasir said at the appeal: "The conviction is set aside. She is acquitted of all charges and if not required for any other charges she will be released forthwith."
SECURITY: Police stand guard outside Pakistan's Supreme Court after the verdict (Pic: GETTY)
TRIAL: Qari Salam, a petitioner against Bibi, stands outside court (Pic: GETTY)
DEFENCE: Bibi's lawyer Saif-ul Mulook, defended the Christian mum-of-four (Pic: GETTY)
Human rights groups say Pakistan's blasphemy laws are exploited to settle personal scores.
Bibi's legal team have claimed the row started when she got into a dispute with her neighbours.
In February, Bibi's husband Ashiq Masih and one of her daughters met with Pope Francis to beg for his help.
The Colosseum in Rome, where early Christians were often put to death, was lit up in red shortly afterwards in solidarity with persecuted Christians like Bibi.
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