Police in Lahore, Pakistan tortured and killed a 35-year-old Christian man, setting off a firestorm of protest in the city.

The family of the slain man, Rakha Shahzad, stormed the police facility demanding justice for his killing.  The agents claimed the Christian man had drugs and alcohol in his system as well as selling them and died of a “heart attack” during questioning.

The family says that Shahzad was arrested because he was a Christian.

Local Christian officials say that Shahzad’s death is just the latest in ongoing campaigns of hate and intimidation against the Christians of the region by Islamic officials.

“The whole world is still deeply shocked and outraged for the lynching of the Christian couple in Kasur, but violence continues: it is urgent to repeal laws that are routinely used to persecute Christians and ensure justice and legality, starting with the work and the behavior of the police and public officials,” Christian lawyer Mushtaq Gill told The Christian Post.

At least 44 people have been arrested in connection with the lynching of the Christian couple.  Gill hopes that police officials in Lahore will be investigated and charged in the death of Shahzad.