An anti-terrorism court in Peshawar, KP has sentenced a man to death after finding him guilty of posting blasphemous content in a WhatsApp group, AFP reported.
Syed Muhammad Zeeshan was convicted under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and Anti-Terrorist Act, on Friday.
"Accused Syed Muhammad Zeeshan, son of Syed Zakaullah in custody has been convicted and sentenced after being found guilty", said the court order.
Zeeshan, a resident of Mardan, was also sentenced to a 23-year imprisonment, and told to pay a fine of Rs1.2 million. He has the right to appeal the verdict.
It began two years ago as Muhammad Saeed, a resident of Talagang, filed a plea with the FIA, accusing Zeeshan of posting the content in a WhatsApp group.
Subsequently, the federal agency confiscated the accused's cell phone and its forensic exam proved him guilty of the offence.
Last month, a blasphemy accused in Nankana Sahib was forcibly taken out of the police station by an angry mob and tortured to death.
The unfortunate incident took place in Warburton area, where the accused, a Muslim male, was detained in Warburton police station on charges of ‘blasphemy’ and ‘witchcraft’ by using pictures of his ex-wife. He was also accused of burning pages of the Holy Quran. He had recently returned after spending 2 years in jail.
An angry mob attacked the police station where the accused was locked up, while the SHO of the police station and other employees of law enforcement escaped with their lives. Sources say the mob first dragged the accused out of the lockup, and then proceeded to torture him before killing him and setting his body ablaze.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had ordered a probe into the incident, and asked as to why the police did not stop the violent crowd, and said that the rule of law must be ensured at all costs.
Syed Muhammad Zeeshan was convicted under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act and Anti-Terrorist Act, on Friday.
"Accused Syed Muhammad Zeeshan, son of Syed Zakaullah in custody has been convicted and sentenced after being found guilty", said the court order.
Zeeshan, a resident of Mardan, was also sentenced to a 23-year imprisonment, and told to pay a fine of Rs1.2 million. He has the right to appeal the verdict.
It began two years ago as Muhammad Saeed, a resident of Talagang, filed a plea with the FIA, accusing Zeeshan of posting the content in a WhatsApp group.
Subsequently, the federal agency confiscated the accused's cell phone and its forensic exam proved him guilty of the offence.
Last month, a blasphemy accused in Nankana Sahib was forcibly taken out of the police station by an angry mob and tortured to death.
The unfortunate incident took place in Warburton area, where the accused, a Muslim male, was detained in Warburton police station on charges of ‘blasphemy’ and ‘witchcraft’ by using pictures of his ex-wife. He was also accused of burning pages of the Holy Quran. He had recently returned after spending 2 years in jail.
An angry mob attacked the police station where the accused was locked up, while the SHO of the police station and other employees of law enforcement escaped with their lives. Sources say the mob first dragged the accused out of the lockup, and then proceeded to torture him before killing him and setting his body ablaze.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had ordered a probe into the incident, and asked as to why the police did not stop the violent crowd, and said that the rule of law must be ensured at all costs.