Saudi writer may face death penalty over Prophet Mohammed tweetsFebruary 12, 2012 - 16:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Malaysia on Sunday, February 12 repatriated a Saudi journalist accused of posting online comments allegedly insulting to Islam and the Prophet Mohammed, M&C reported, citing DPA. Hamza Kashgari, 23, a Jeddah-based newspaper columnist, was escorted by Saudi authorities on a flight back to Saudi Arabia, a source at the police department said. Earlier in the day, Malaysia's Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein said Kashgari would be repatriated to face the charges. “Malaysia has a long-standing arrangement (with Saudi Arabia) by which individuals wanted by one country are extradited when detained by the other,” Hussein said. The repatriation occurred despite pleas from human rights groups and civil libertarian organizations not to deport Kashgari, who faces possible death sentence for charges of apostasy. Kashgari fled Saudi Arabia to Malaysia on Tuesday after a storm of outrage erupted when he published a fictitious conversation with the Prophet Mohammed on his Twitter account. On February 8, an official Saudi religious body declared him an apostate. Hishammuddin said Kashgari was detained Thursday in the departure hall of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport at the request of Saudi authorities. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Russia provides info about arrested Armenian ex-MP Russian law enforcement agencies have provided information about the arrest of Tigran Urikhanyan. Lemkin Institue slams Pashinyan's “cryptic engagement with Genocide denial” The Lemkin Institute is alarmed over Pashinyan’s statements “questioning Armenia's legal basis to pursue justice against Turkey”. 41 detained as antigovernment protests continue in Yerevan 41 people were detained in Yerevan as people demanding Pashinian’s resignation stage campaigns of civil disobedience. Armenia votes for UN resolution granting Palestine new rights The U.N. General Assembly voted by a wide margin on May 10 to grant new “rights and privileges” to Palestine. |