Man Claiming To Be Prophet Mohammed Sentenced To Death For Blasphemy

Human rights campaigners are calling for the
immediate release of a British man sentenced to
death under Pakistan's blasphemy laws. Mr Mohammad Asghar was arrested in 2010 after he
claimed to be Prophet Mohammed in letters sent to
various officials. A judge convicted and sentenced
him last Thursday following a trial. But a lawyer who defended Mr Asghar said he
suffers from mental illness and the case was really
a property dispute.
Amnesty International's deputy Asia Pacific director
Polly Truscott said: 'Mohammad Asghar is now facing the gallows
simply for writing a series of letters. He does
not deserve punishment. No one should be
charged on the basis of this sort of conduct.
The blasphemy laws undermine the rule of law,
and people facing charges risk death and other harm in detention. Pakistan must immediately release
Mohammad Ashgar and reform its blasphemy
laws to ensure that this will not happen again.' Reports say people in the country, accused of
blasphemy have been attacked and killed by angry
vigilante mobs. Two prominent politicians who criticised the
blasphemy law were murdered in recent years. One
of the politicians was shot by his own bodyguard,
who then attracted adoring crowds.