Pakistan: University professor sentenced to death for blasphemy
Story highlights
Junaid Hafeez was a university professor when he was arrested in March 2013 for allegedly posting derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammed on Facebook.
A university professor in Pakistan was handed death sentence under the controversial blasphemy law on Saturday.
Junaid Hafeez was a university professor when he was arrested in March 2013 for allegedly posting derogatory remarks against Prophet Mohammed on Facebook.
A fine of Rs 3557.07 USD was also imposed on the doctor, along with a sentence to life imprisonment. Under another section of the Pakistan Penal Code, Junaid is given another sentence of 10 years and a fine of Rs 711.41 USD.
trending now
At least three injured after Russian regions hit by Ukrainian shelling, drones: Moscow
Turkey ‘no longer expects anything from EU’, says Erdogan on membership
'What sets them apart is dedication': Coach Ajith Markose on Asian Games medallists Kartik and Gulveer
Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar says military very strong, ‘picked’ him for post
UN mission arrives in Karabakh for first visit in nearly 30 years
Top 10 world news: Suicide bomb attack close to Turkish parliament, Spain nightclub catches fire, & more
Parineeti and Raghav share playful glimpse from 'not-so-traditional' wedding ritual
Asian Games: Curious case of Jyothi Yarraji winning silver despite finishing third in women's 100m hurdles
Pro-Russian ex-PM Fico wins Slovak election, now seeks allies for govt
When fiction becomes reality: Photo of Asiatic lion standing on Arabian Sea shores goes viral
Jennifer Aniston, 54, shares her four-rule fitness mantra to stay in shape
New York's flooding is 'new normal' in wake of climate change: Governor
UK to deploy military instructors to Ukraine, says British defence minister
LeT founding member and aide of 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed gunned down in Karachi: Report
Taylor Swift enjoys girls' night out with Blake Lively, Sophie Turner
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
Junaid's lawyer Asad Jamal described the verdict as "most unfortunate".
"We will appeal against this verdict," Jamal said.
In conservative Muslim-majority Pakistan, blasphemy is a hugely sensitive issue and in many cases, the death sentence was also given. Even unproven claims have also caused mob lynchings and vigilante murders.
The 33-year-old professor's earlier lawyer was killed in 2014 after receiving death threats during a hearing.
Nearly 40 people convicted under this law are on death row in Pakistan, as per a 2018 estimate by the US Commission on International Religious Freedom.
Last year, the acquittal of Asia Bibi, who was facing death row under the Blasphemy law has led to a lot of violent protests in Pakistan. Bibi, a Christian woman who had spent eight years in jail, now lives in Canada with her family.
(with inputs from AFP)
recommended stories
After 400 years, baby beaver takes birth in London, gets photographed
Yudh Abhyas: Indian, US armies collaborate in joint tactical exercise held in Alaska
Over 100 dolphins found dead in Amazon as water temperature soars to 39°C
Israeli female soldiers banned from prison guard duty after alleged sex with Palestinian inmates
China pushes for second 12,000-Satellite megaconstellation to challenge SpaceX dominance
Warplane flying below civilian plane: China's 'Trojan horse' flight detected near Taiwan
Donald Trump's wife Melania Trump renegotiates prenuptial agreement
Australia: One dead, another injured after whale hit and flipped their boat
Romania reports 'airspace breach' during Ukraine attacks, Zelensky attracts arms makers
Astronomers capture first direct evidence of Black Hole spinning
Trouble with SAG-AFTRA because of Meghan Markle: Know why Patrick had to apologise
Watch: Kenyan pastor locks himself up with 3 lions, gets awarded by MP
Microplastics found in cloud for first time, researchers sound warning bell
Top Chinese scientist disputes India’s Chandrayaan-3 landing on Moon’s south pole
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
recommended stories
After 400 years, baby beaver takes birth in London, gets photographed
Yudh Abhyas: Indian, US armies collaborate in joint tactical exercise held in Alaska
Over 100 dolphins found dead in Amazon as water temperature soars to 39°C
Israeli female soldiers banned from prison guard duty after alleged sex with Palestinian inmates
China pushes for second 12,000-Satellite megaconstellation to challenge SpaceX dominance
Warplane flying below civilian plane: China's 'Trojan horse' flight detected near Taiwan
Donald Trump's wife Melania Trump renegotiates prenuptial agreement
Australia: One dead, another injured after whale hit and flipped their boat
Romania reports 'airspace breach' during Ukraine attacks, Zelensky attracts arms makers
Astronomers capture first direct evidence of Black Hole spinning
Trouble with SAG-AFTRA because of Meghan Markle: Know why Patrick had to apologise
Watch: Kenyan pastor locks himself up with 3 lions, gets awarded by MP
