Pakistan: Blasphemy law opponent's killer sentenced
Islamabad -The court sentenced to death on Saturday, a police guard of important secular political elite of a murderess, was accused of protecting, the killing has sent shock waves through Pakistan and was seen as a clear sign of growing religious intolerance and extremism in the country.
The news has attracted international attention not only because of the prominent politician who was killed, Salman Taseer, but because the murderer was celebrated by many in Pakistan, including lawyers, which has shower rose petals and wreaths to appear in court.
Judge Syed Pervez Ali Shah announced the sentence, Malik Mumtaz Qadri in anti-terrorism court Adiala prison in Rawalpindi.
"Nobody can be given a license to kill under any circumstances," the judge was quoted as saying after the end of the experiment.
The decision was unusual in Pakistan, the government in recent years has been forced to the freedom of Islamic militants, or to let out light sentences. The ruling was particularly noteworthy in this high-profile case against the man, whose popularity has risen in his confession, and defense of the killings for religious reasons.
Taseer, Governor of Punjab province, was one of the most pronounced opponents of the law of the controversial blasphemy, which imposes a death sentence for anyone convicted of insulting Islam.
Liberals and rights activists were encouraged by the verdict, but noted that it could be overturned on appeal could drag on for years.
"Today's trial is a positive fact that the rules of justice prevailed," said Raza Rumi, a political analyst and columnist in the eastern city of Lahore. "Pakistan can not afford to become a society of self-defense, and the State, its judges and prosecutors must respect the law."
Qadri, 26, was convicted of murder and committing a terrorist act. A lawyer Qadri said Dawn television that the appeal would be filed.
Qadri Taseer killed in a hail of bullets on January 4, shooting at close range as Taseer was getting into his car.
Rights groups have said the blasphemy law, which has challenged Taseer was used to persecute minorities, particularly Christians.
Qadri has been hailed as a hero by Islamic lawyers, many mainstream politicians and religious leaders.
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| Pakistan: Blasphemy law opponent's killer sentenced |
The news has attracted international attention not only because of the prominent politician who was killed, Salman Taseer, but because the murderer was celebrated by many in Pakistan, including lawyers, which has shower rose petals and wreaths to appear in court.
Judge Syed Pervez Ali Shah announced the sentence, Malik Mumtaz Qadri in anti-terrorism court Adiala prison in Rawalpindi.
"Nobody can be given a license to kill under any circumstances," the judge was quoted as saying after the end of the experiment.
The decision was unusual in Pakistan, the government in recent years has been forced to the freedom of Islamic militants, or to let out light sentences. The ruling was particularly noteworthy in this high-profile case against the man, whose popularity has risen in his confession, and defense of the killings for religious reasons.
Taseer, Governor of Punjab province, was one of the most pronounced opponents of the law of the controversial blasphemy, which imposes a death sentence for anyone convicted of insulting Islam.
Liberals and rights activists were encouraged by the verdict, but noted that it could be overturned on appeal could drag on for years.
"Today's trial is a positive fact that the rules of justice prevailed," said Raza Rumi, a political analyst and columnist in the eastern city of Lahore. "Pakistan can not afford to become a society of self-defense, and the State, its judges and prosecutors must respect the law."
Qadri, 26, was convicted of murder and committing a terrorist act. A lawyer Qadri said Dawn television that the appeal would be filed.
Qadri Taseer killed in a hail of bullets on January 4, shooting at close range as Taseer was getting into his car.
Rights groups have said the blasphemy law, which has challenged Taseer was used to persecute minorities, particularly Christians.
Qadri has been hailed as a hero by Islamic lawyers, many mainstream politicians and religious leaders.
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