KABUL (SW): A district court in the Afghan capital Kabul sentenced four men to death on Wednesday for publically lynching a girl to death two months ago over an alleged blasphemy to the Quran.
27 years-old Farkhunda was killed by charged mob in the heart of capital Kabul and her body was torched near the banks of Kabul River before being dragged on the streets.
The Kabul primary court on Wednesday also awarded 16-year prison term to eight other convicted men. The court took only four days to deliver on this high profile case. The convicts have the right to appeal against the ruling.18 men have been freed on the basis of lack of evidence while three other accused are at large. The judge said in his ruling security forces have been ordered to track them down and arrest them.
The fate of some 19 policemen blamed for negligence in line of duty would be decided in a couple of day’s time.
Farkhunda’s parents were present during court’s ruling. Mohammad Nader, Farkhunda’s father told journalists he wanted the culprits to made an example for others not to dare such acts again.
Earlier in March, Farkhunda's mother told local media her daughter was well versed in Islamic studies and wanted to stop a Mullah in the shrine from deceiving people by writing false “Tawiz” (amulets). She claimed that Mullah enticed the crowd to attack her by blaming her for blasphemy for the Quran.
ENDS
