Afghan Court Begins Trial of Suspects in Mob Killing of Woman
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - A court in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, launched the first session of the trial of suspects allegedly involved in the mob killing of an Afghan woman falsely accused of burning a copy of the holy Quran.
The judicial trial opened on Saturday and alleges that the 49 suspects, including a number of police officers, played a role in the March 19 killing of the 27-year-old woman identified only as Farkhunda.
The court proceedings are being broadcast live on local television stations.
Government prosecutors contend that the victim was beaten to death in a frantic attack triggered by a phony claim that she had burned a copy of Islam’s holy book, the Quran.
Human rights organization Amnesty International (AI) warned in a report last month about escalating violence, including threats, sexual assaults and assassinations, facing female Afghan activists.
The group said the Afghan government and the international community are doing nothing to stop the trend of mounting violence targeting womens' rights activists in the country, Press TV reported.
“It's outrageous that Afghan authorities are leaving them to fend for themselves, with their situation more dangerous than ever," it said.
The organization further added, “While Taliban are responsible for the majority of attacks against women defenders, government officials or powerful local commanders with the authorities’ backing are increasingly implicated in violence and threats against women.”
