<p>A Muslim man was convicted and sentenced to death by an anti-terrorism court in northwest Pakistan after he faced an accusation of sharing a blasphemous post in a WhatsApp group.</p>

<p>In Pakistan, where the majority population is Muslim, blasphemy remains a hugely sensitive issue as even allegations which are unproven can stir mobs and lead to violence.</p>

<p>The court convicted Syed Muhammad Zeeshan under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and Anti-Terrorist Act in Peshawar on Friday.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |</strong> <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistans-finance-ministry-has-no-funds-to-conduct-elections-claims-defence-minister-575561">Pakistan's finance ministry does not have funds to conduct elections, says defence minister</a></p>

<p>“Accused Syed Muhammad Zeeshan, son of Syed Zakaullah in custody has been convicted and sentenced after being found guilty,” read the court order, according to the AFP.</p>

<p>Zeeshan, who lives in the country's northwest city of Mardan, was also slapped with a fine of Rs1.2 million ($4,300) and given 23 years of rigorous imprisonment. The man has the right to appeal against the court order.</p>

<p>Two years ago, an application was filed by Muhammad Saeed, who resides in Talagang, Punjab province, with the Federal Investigation Agency in which he accused Zeeshan of sharing blasphemous posts in a WhatsApp group, said Saeed’s counsel Ibrar Hussain while speaking to the AFP.</p>

<p>The “FIA had confiscated Zeeshan’s cellphone and its forensic examination proved him guilty”, he added. Although the laws of Pakistan prohibiting blasphemy may carry a potential death sentence, it has never been enforced so far for the crime.</p>

<p><strong>WATCH | Gravitas: Pakistan is heading for a civil war</strong></p>

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<p>Although various cases involve Muslims facing the accusation of blasphemy from Muslims, human rights activists have warned how minorities, like Christians, often get caught in the crossfire, as people use blasphemy charges to settle personal scores.</p>

<p>As per the National Commission of Justice and Peace, which is a human rights and legal aid group in Pakistan, 760 people belonging to minority religious groups and 774 Muslims have faced accusations of blasphemy in the past 20 years.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

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A Muslim man was convicted and sentenced to death by an anti-terrorism court in northwest Pakistan after he faced an accusation of sharing a blasphemous post in a WhatsApp group.

A Muslim man was convicted and sentenced to death by an anti-terrorism court in northwest Pakistan after he faced an accusation of sharing a blasphemous post in a WhatsApp group. In Pakistan, where the majority population is Muslim, blasphemy remains a hugely sensitive issue as even allegations which are unproven can stir mobs and lead to violence. The court convicted Syed Muhammad Zeeshan under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and Anti-Terrorist Act in Peshawar on Friday. ALSO READ | Pakistan's finance ministry does not have funds to conduct elections, says defence minister “Accused Syed Muhammad Zeeshan, son of Syed Zakaullah in custody has been convicted and sentenced after being found guilty,” read the court order, according to the AFP. Zeeshan, who lives in the country's northwest city of Mardan, was also slapped with a fine of Rs1.2 million ($4,300) and given 23 years of rigorous imprisonment. The man has the right to appeal against the court order. Two years ago, an application was filed by Muhammad Saeed, who resides in Talagang, Punjab province, with the Federal Investigation Agency in which he accused Zeeshan of sharing blasphemous posts in a WhatsApp group, said Saeed’s counsel Ibrar Hussain while speaking to the AFP. The “FIA had confiscated Zeeshan’s cellphone and its forensic examination proved him guilty”, he added. Although the laws of Pakistan prohibiting blasphemy may carry a potential death sentence, it has never been enforced so far for the crime. WATCH | Gravitas: Pakistan is heading for a civil war Although various cases involve Muslims facing the accusation of blasphemy from Muslims, human rights activists have warned how minorities, like Christians, often get caught in the crossfire, as people use blasphemy charges to settle personal scores. As per the National Commission of Justice and Peace, which is a human rights and legal aid group in Pakistan, 760 people belonging to minority religious groups and 774 Muslims have faced accusations of blasphemy in the past 20 years. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Pakistan: Anti-terrorism court pronounces death sentence to Muslim man over blasphemous WhatsApp post

<p>In a brutal incident, a female student has been beaten to death and set afire in Nigeria by peers over accusations of making "blasphemous" statements in a student group on Whatsapp, media reports said citing police and witnesses. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The incident happened in Nigeria's northwesternmost state of Sokoto. The school was also immediately closed. In this case, two suspects have been held. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>The victim was identified as Deborah Samuel, said Sokoto state command spokesperson. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p>"There is a WhatsApp group being used by the students and her Muslim colleague student posted an Islamic piece. She criticised the posting. She composed an audio that contains blasphemous comments on the Prophet of Islam and posted in the group, that is what triggered everything," a witnesses told Reuters on condition of anonymity. &nbsp;</p>

<p>School security and police tried to rescue the victim but were overpowered by the students, the reports said citing witnesses. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>In a statement, police spokesperson Sanusi Abubakar said, "Students forcefully removed the victim from the security room where she was hidden by the school authorities, killed her and burnt the building." &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Somalians endure impact of drought, Ukraine war</strong></p>

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<p>"Police fired teargas on the students...then began firing shots in the sky to disperse the students, but they resisted. The police sacrificed the lady after the students began throwing sticks and stones at them, then the students used stones and sticks to beat the lady. After being beaten, she was set on fire," a student told Reuters. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The Sultanate Council Sokoto also condemned the "unfortunate happenings...that led to the loss of life of a female student at the institution." &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em> &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>


In a brutal incident, a female student has been beaten to death and set afire in Nigeria by peers over accusations of making "blasphemous" statements in a student group on Whatsapp, media reports said citing police and witnesses.

In a brutal incident, a female student has been beaten to death and set afire in Nigeria by peers over accusations of making "blasphemous" statements in a student group on Whatsapp, media reports said citing police and witnesses. The incident happened in Nigeria's northwesternmost state of Sokoto. The school was also immediately closed. In this case, two suspects have been held. The victim was identified as Deborah Samuel, said Sokoto state command spokesperson. Also Read | Kenya: Eco-friendly tourism sees tourists riding camels when on safari "There is a WhatsApp group being used by the students and her Muslim colleague student posted an Islamic piece. She criticised the posting. She composed an audio that contains blasphemous comments on the Prophet of Islam and posted in the group, that is what triggered everything," a witnesses told Reuters on condition of anonymity. School security and police tried to rescue the victim but were overpowered by the students, the reports said citing witnesses. In a statement, police spokesperson Sanusi Abubakar said, "Students forcefully removed the victim from the security room where she was hidden by the school authorities, killed her and burnt the building." Watch: Somalians endure impact of drought, Ukraine war × "Police fired teargas on the students...then began firing shots in the sky to disperse the students, but they resisted. The police sacrificed the lady after the students began throwing sticks and stones at them, then the students used stones and sticks to beat the lady. After being beaten, she was set on fire," a student told Reuters. The Sultanate Council Sokoto also condemned the "unfortunate happenings...that led to the loss of life of a female student at the institution." WATCH WION LIVE HERE (With inputs from agencies)

Brutal killing: Female student beaten to death, set afire in Nigeria by peers over "blasphemous" statements

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