This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/five-men-executed-in-afghanistan-for-gang-rape-9782443.html
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Five men are executed in Afghanistan for gang rape | Five men are executed in Afghanistan for gang rape |
| (5 months later) | |
| Authorities in Afghanistan have executed five men convicted of gang rape and armed robbery in an attack on four women, Kabul's police chief has said. | Authorities in Afghanistan have executed five men convicted of gang rape and armed robbery in an attack on four women, Kabul's police chief has said. |
| In August, eight men, some dressed in police uniforms, stopped an Afghan family's car outside Kabul and sexually assaulted four of the women in the family. The men also beat and robbed the women, one of whom was pregnant. Three of the suspects remain at large. | In August, eight men, some dressed in police uniforms, stopped an Afghan family's car outside Kabul and sexually assaulted four of the women in the family. The men also beat and robbed the women, one of whom was pregnant. Three of the suspects remain at large. |
| The men were hanged in Puli Charkhi prison in Kabul, the capital's police chief General Mohammad Zahir Zahir said. Former President Hamid Karzai had approved and signed the execution order last month, on his last day in office. | The men were hanged in Puli Charkhi prison in Kabul, the capital's police chief General Mohammad Zahir Zahir said. Former President Hamid Karzai had approved and signed the execution order last month, on his last day in office. |
| The case prompted street demonstrations in support of the victims. While allowed under Afghan law, the death penalty was applied only on two occasions during Karzai's 13-year presidency. | The case prompted street demonstrations in support of the victims. While allowed under Afghan law, the death penalty was applied only on two occasions during Karzai's 13-year presidency. |
| However, human rights groups criticised both the speedy legal process and application of the death penalty in the rape case. The original trial lasted only two hours before convictions were announced. | However, human rights groups criticised both the speedy legal process and application of the death penalty in the rape case. The original trial lasted only two hours before convictions were announced. |
| Human Rights Watch said the political interference and swift convictions violated the defendants' rights to due process. | Human Rights Watch said the political interference and swift convictions violated the defendants' rights to due process. |
| Amnesty International said the men had been convicted following a series of “flawed trials” and described their deaths as “an affront to justice”. | Amnesty International said the men had been convicted following a series of “flawed trials” and described their deaths as “an affront to justice”. |
| David Griffiths, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Deputy Director said: “There is no question that this was an appalling crime and the outcry and anger this case has caused is of course understandable. Amnesty International continues to campaign against rape and other sexual attacks globally and in Afghanistan. | David Griffiths, Amnesty International’s Asia-Pacific Deputy Director said: “There is no question that this was an appalling crime and the outcry and anger this case has caused is of course understandable. Amnesty International continues to campaign against rape and other sexual attacks globally and in Afghanistan. |
| “But the death penalty is not justice – it only amounts to short-term revenge.” | “But the death penalty is not justice – it only amounts to short-term revenge.” |
| Additional reporting by Reuters |