AFGHANISTAN. SENATE REVOKES SUPPORT OF DEATH SENTENCE
the Afghan Senate withdrew its demand for the death sentence for Sayed
the Afghan Senate withdrew its demand for the death sentence for Sayed Pervez Kambaksh, following protests from the public and media, a report said.
Kambaksh, a 23 year old journalism student, was sentenced to death after downloading information about Afghan women's rights.
"The upper house respects the rights of the accused, such as the right to have a defence lawyer, the right of appeal and other legal rights," the Senate said in a statement.
"But approval of the death sentence, in the statement published recently from the address of the upper house, was a technical mistake."
Fundamentalist Muslim clergymen argue that Kambaksh should not have the usual appeal rights because he was found guilty of a blasphemous religious crime, The Independent reported.
Kambaksh, a 23 year old journalism student, was sentenced to death after downloading information about Afghan women's rights.
"The upper house respects the rights of the accused, such as the right to have a defence lawyer, the right of appeal and other legal rights," the Senate said in a statement.
"But approval of the death sentence, in the statement published recently from the address of the upper house, was a technical mistake."
Fundamentalist Muslim clergymen argue that Kambaksh should not have the usual appeal rights because he was found guilty of a blasphemous religious crime, The Independent reported.
— SOURCES
- (Sources: UPI, 02/02/2008)