Afghan Court Sentences 4 Men To Death Over Mob Killing Of Woman Accused Of Burning The Koran

Four Afghan men were sentenced to death on Wednesday over the mob killing of a woman accused of burning the Koran, media reports said. The 28-year-old woman, identified as Farkhunda, was beaten to death on March 19 in Kabul.

The four men were among 49 people facing trial, which began on May 2, for taking part in the mob attack that killed the woman. The defendants in the case also included 19 police officers. Eight people were sentenced to 16 years in prison while 18 others were set free because of insufficient evidence. The remaining 19 suspects in the case will be sentenced on Saturday, according to Al-Jazeera.

The woman’s body was reportedly burned after she was beaten to death. The attack, captured in a mobile phone video, was later distributed on social media. Some of the suspects in the case were arrested after they bragged about participating in the mob attack on social media. The case sparked outrage and street protests in Kabul.

An investigation into the case revealed that the woman was falsely accused of burning the Koran after she had an argument with a religious teacher.