Christian girl granted bail

A Pakistani judge has granted bail for a Christian girl who was jailed on blasphemy charges.

Rimsha Masih has been in an Islamabad prison since mid August for allegedly destroying parts of a Koran.

According to hospital records, Rimsha is 14 but has the mental capacities of someone younger. Some media have been reporting she has Down's syndrome.

Over the weekend, a Muslim cleric was arrested on suspicion that he planted the desecrated Koran in order to frame her.

Friday, a judge granted her release on $9,500 U.S. dollars.

It's unclear when or if she will be able to pay it.

A lawyer for Rimsha says she and her family will be kept safe in the meantime.

.(SOUNDBITE) (English) ROBINSON ASGHAR, AIDE TO MINISTER FOR NATIONAL HARMONY, SAYING:

"We believe that she will be under proper security as the whole family is. The whole family is under security and she will also (be) under security."

Defaming the Koran carries the death penalty in Pakistan. Although critics say the law is often misused to settle personal disputes.