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Afghan court quashes Farkhunda mob killing death sentences Afghan court quashes Farkhunda mob killing death sentences
(about 3 hours later)
An Afghan appeals court has quashed death sentences imposed on four men for their part in the mob killing of a young woman in Kabul in March.An Afghan appeals court has quashed death sentences imposed on four men for their part in the mob killing of a young woman in Kabul in March.
The woman, Farkhunda, was attacked at an Islamic shrine after being falsely accused of burning a copy of the Koran.The woman, Farkhunda, was attacked at an Islamic shrine after being falsely accused of burning a copy of the Koran.
She was stoned to death, her body was run over by a car and set on fire.She was stoned to death, her body was run over by a car and set on fire.
The court also acquitted the keeper of the shrine. Women's rights activists have expressed outrage at the decision, which was taken in a secret hearing. The court also acquitted the keeper of the shrine. Family members and rights activists have expressed outrage at the decision, which was taken in secret.
Eight people. including policemen, were given jail terms and four sentenced to death in connection with the killing. At the original trail in May, eight men were given jail terms of 16 years, as well as the four who received death sentences.
But the appeals court decision acquits Omran, the keeper of the shrine, who was the one to incite the mob to kill Farkhunda after she had argued with him. Later in the month, 11 policemen were sentenced to one year in prison for failing to protect Farkhunda Malikzada, a devout Islamic student who was 28 when she was killed. Eight other police officers were acquitted.
The decision has led to widespread condemnation with one activist, Wasjima Frogh, telling the BBC's David Loyn in Kabul that the whole trial had been an example of injustice. Wednesday's appeal court hearing in Kabul was held behind closed doors - local media report that the four death sentences were commuted to 20-year jail terms.
The decision also acquits Omran, the keeper of the shrine, who was the one to incite the mob to kill Farkhunda after she had argued with him, the BBC's David Loyn in Kabul reports.
The decision has led to widespread condemnation with one prominent activist, Wazhma Frogh, telling the BBC that the whole trial had been an example of injustice.
It showed that it was not only the Taliban but the whole Afghan system that oppressed women, she said.It showed that it was not only the Taliban but the whole Afghan system that oppressed women, she said.
Farkhunda's brother Najibullah told BBC Persian: "It's not a court, it's just a show... The media should have been there, we should been there, the lawyers should have been there.
"It's a real theatre. The whole world laughs at the judicial system of Afghanistan. Do the judges have families, sisters, mothers - or not? Do they have a heart? We will not accept this decision."
He accused the authorities of "a tyranny" against the family, who have been living in fear since the attack.
Kimberley Motley, an American lawyer in Afghanistan who represented the family during the previous trial, also criticised the ruling.
"I'm extremely surprised and disappointed. I'm very concerned because this happened in a very closed hearing, it wasn't transparent as the first court was and so there's questions as to why this even occurred.
"There's very strong evidence through video and through eyewitness testimony that justified the original sentences that were imposed on these men."