Pakistan university professor arrested over blasphemy charges

[danieldemol]

‘KARACHI: A senior professor of a university in Pakistan's Sindh province was on Wednesday arrested over blasphemy charges.

Professor Sajid Soomro of the Shah Abdul Latif University in Sindh's Khairpur area was arrested from his house in Ali Murad locality of Khairpur.

"We have been told he has been arrested for blasphemy on a complaint lodged by the state," said Advocate Fayaz Khamisani, Soomro's friend and Khairpur Bar Association joint secretary.’

Read more here: Pakistan university professor arrested over blasphemy charges - The New Indian Express

 

[Aupmanyav]

Never be surprised by what happens in Pakistan. It is an amazing country.

 

[danieldemol]

SALU professor’s arrest on blasphemy charges condemned

‘HYDERABAD: A meeting of the Human Rights Alliance held here on Thursday condemned arrest of Assistant Professor Sajid Soomro of the Shah Abdul Latif University (Salu), Khairpur, on blasphemy charges and threat by activists of a religious party to lodge an FIR on the same charges against Sindh University Teachers’ Association president Prof Dr Arfana Mallah.

The meeting chaired by Prof Mushtaq Mirani and attended by Imdad Chandio, Prof Badar Soomro, Jami Chandio, Taj Joyo, Haseen Musarrat Shah, Mahesh Kumar and others, noted that police were being pressured to register an FIR against Dr Mallah.

It expressed its concern over attempts by some extremist elements to undermine freedom of expression in Sindh.’

Read more here: Salu professor’s arrest on blasphemy charges condemned - Newspaper - DAWN.COM

 

[danieldemol]

‘PAKISTAN
Professor could face death penalty for ‘blasphemy’

This month over two dozen police officers including commandos raided the home of Sajid Soomro, a professor of Sindhi literature, to arrest him on charges of blasphemy, a serious charge in Pakistan that can lead to the death penalty if proven.

“Why are you arresting me? I am a professor. I am a Muslim and I have not committed any blasphemy; this is injustice, this is grave injustice,” Soomro reportedly pleaded. But he was ordered to “get inside the van” and driven away to Khairpur city police station in Sindh province where he was put behind bars on 10 June.

Considered by many to be a broad-minded person, Soomro, a professor of Sindhi literature at Pakistan’s Shah Abdul Latif University of Khairpur was arrested on a complaint by Ghulam Nabi, a police officer who accused him of having spoken against Islam and against religious seminaries in the country.’

Read more here: Professor could face death penalty for ‘blasphemy’

 

[Valjean]

Apparently anyone can claim someone said something blasphemous or insulted the prophet, and he'll be taken seriously; very convenient when you have an annoying neighbor, a rival for a promotion, or owe someone money.

Isn't there some kind of three witness requirement for this sort of charge?

 

[danieldemol]

...Isn't there some kind of three witness requirement for this sort of charge?

Even if there is you wouldn’t have much trouble finding three fanatics in Pakistan.