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Editor sent to jail in Afghanistan
KABUL -- A women's magazine editor has been sentenced to two years in jail after being convicted of blasphemy for publishing anti-Islamic articles, including one challenging a belief that Muslims who convert to other religions should be stoned to death, a judge said Sunday.
The case underlines the fragility of press freedoms in the nascent democracy and highlights a struggle between religious moderates and extremists over what form Islam will take in Afghanistan as foundations are laid for its future.
Ali Mohaqiq Nasab was arrested on Oct. 1 after his magazine Haqooq-i-Zan -- Women's Rights -- argued that giving up Islam was not a crime that should be punished by death, as sanctioned by some interpretations of Islamic Shariah law.
On Saturday, Kabul's Primary Court convicted Mohaqiq of blasphemy, said presiding judge Ansarullah Malawizada.
Copyright 2009 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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