Afghan parliament endorses court decision on journalist’s death sentence

The Afghan Meshrano Jirga (Council of the Elders) has announced their endorsement of the recent court sentence condemning a journalism student to death, Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty reported Thursday.

Sayed Perwiz Kambakhsh, a 23-year-old journalism student, was recently sentenced to death for blasphemy for distributing an article that questioned the Koran’s verses on the rights of women. The Meshrano Jirga endorsed the court’s decision to condemn Kambakhsh for, “insulting Islam and misinterpretation of Holy Koran verses.” The endorsement was reportedly signed by the chairman of the upper house, Sibghatullah Mujaddedi, a religious scholar and former mujahedeen leader.

The Meshrano Jirga also criticized the international community for, “pressuring Afghanistan’s government and legal authorities when pursuing such people.” International journalists and civil societies groups have deplored the verdict as unjust.

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