Gunmen killed two Christian brothers accused of blasphemy against Islam in Pakistan on Monday.

The murders occurred as the men - Rashid Emmanuel, 36, and his brother Sajid Emmanuel, 30 - were leaving a court in Faisalabad, where they were on trial for the blasphemy charges.

Pakistan's Minister of Minority Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti said the brothers were arrested a month ago after leaflets allegedly bearing their names and featuring derogatory remarks against Muhammad were found.

Bhatti said he suspects the charges were fabricated by people who had a grudge against the men.

Christian groups have condemned Pakistan's blasphemy laws because they are often used as a pretext for persecuting non-Muslims.