Afghanistan: Death Penalty: Sayed Perwiz Kambakhsh

Afghanistan: Death Penalty: Sayed Perwiz Kambakhsh

Index Number: ASA 11/002/2008
Date Published: 11 February 2008
Categories: Afghanistan

University student and journalist Perwiz Kambakhsh was sentenced to death on a charge of blasphemy on 22 January 2008 in the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif in Balkh province. Before the trial began, local religious leaders had called for him to be executed for causing offence to Islam. His trial took place in a closed session of the provincial lower court and he had no legal representation.