The lawyer of Pakistani woman Asia Bibi who was sentenced to death on blasphemy charges, has returned to Pakistan to represent her, almost three months after he was given refuge in the Netherlands.

Saif-Ul-Malook was given the right to stay in the Netherlands under the Shelter City programme, which offers help to human rights activists who are in danger in their own countries.

According to the Dutch charity group Stichting Hulp Vervolgde Christenen (HVC), Ul-Malook wants to represent his client until she is in a place of safety outside Pakistan.

Ul-Mulook said he feared for his life in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to acquit Asia Bibi, a Christian woman accused of insulting the prophet Muhammad, because of a lack of evidence. She had spent eight years on death row but remains in custody, despite her acquittal.

Dutch MP Joel Voordewind also confirmed his departure for Pakistan on Twitter.

Gisteren advocaat Asia Bibi, dhr Malook begeleid bij vertrek vanaf Schiphol. Hij keert terug naar Pakistan om hopelijk laatste keer Asia in rechtzaak te verdedigen. Verliest hierdoor helaas wel zijn asielstatus in NL. pic.twitter.com/QYy3w869fN

— Joël Voordewind (@JoelVoordewind) January 27, 2019

According to Pakistan newspaper The Express Tribune, Malook had asked Pakistan’s prime minister Imran Khan to guarantee his safety in Islamabad.

‘I want to make it clear that I intend to permanently stay in Pakistan but there are still security concerns,’ the paper quotes him as saying.