WUNRN
Afghanistan – Judge Sentences 4 to Death over Mob Killing of
Farkhunda
Brutality of lynching over false accusation of burning Qur’an sparked public outrage, but some fear that trial of 49 people has been unduly rushed
A
picture of Farkhunda, who was beaten to death in Kabul. Videos of the assault
on her circulated widely on social media. Photograph: Mohammad Ismail/Reuters
Sune Engel Rasmussen in Kabul – 6
May 2015
Four men have been sentenced to death over the
murder in March of a 27-year-old woman who was lynched by a mob in the centre
of the Afghan capital Kabul.
The death of the woman, called Farkhunda,
shocked Afghans for its brutality and spurred calls for authorities to uphold
women’s rights to equality and protection from violence. She was beaten, then
her body was burned and thrown in a river in a frenzied attack sparked by a
bogus accusation that she had burned a copy of the Qur’an.
Forty-nine people are standing trial and on
Wednesday judge Safiullah Mojadedi handed down sentences for 30 people. In
addition to the four death sentences, he sentenced eight defendants to 16 years
in prison and acquitted 18. Charges included assault, murder and encouraging
violence. The defendants can appeal against the verdict.
Defendants
speak during their trial on charges relating to the mob killing of Farkhunda in
Afghanistan’s primary court. Photograph: Rahmat Gul/AP
Mahmoud Hamidi, brother of one of the acquitted,
said on the steps of the court minutes after the trial: “Some people in the
area where the incident happened told the police that my brother was part of
the mob. But during that time, my brother was working at his shop. Some women
testified to that at the trial.”
Public outrage following the murder has prompted
the Afghan government and the court to act with rarely seen swiftness. The trial took only two days, causing concern that the
accused would not get a fair hearing.
“It was rushed,” said Abdulhakim Qayoumi, a
defence lawyer who observed the proceedings. “That is my main concern.”
The family of Farkhunda was also dissatisfied
with the process. “The main criminals have not been arrested,” said Mohammad
Nader Malikzadah, her father, who spoke to the court before the verdict.
Malikzadah said the police had, for instance,
arrested and subsequently released a man who drove over Farkhunda’s dead body
with his car. “We don’t accept today’s trial, it was unjust,” he added.
Shinkai Karokhail, an MP assigned by the
president to observe the trial, said she was dismayed by the acquittal of 18
defendants. “Even if there was no very clear evidence against them, they should
be punished,” she said. “As responsible citizens, how could they just watch a
woman being killed by a group of men? It should be a lesson to others.”
A
demonstration to demand justice for Farkhunda in Kabul on 27 April.
Demonstrators chanted: ‘We all are Farkhunda! We want justice.’ Photograph: Hedayatullah
Amid/EPA
The remaining 19 defendants are police officers
accused of neglect of duty. A decision in their case is expected on Sunday.
many, the murder of Farkhunda has become
emblematic of the discrimination and lack of legal protection for women
in Afghanistan.
Her last hours were captured on mobile phone
cameras by witnesses and those in the mob that attacked her. The videos of the
assault circulated widely on social media. They showed Farkhunda – who, like
many Afghans, went by only one name – being beaten, run over with a car and
burned before her bloodied body was thrown into the river.
“It’s very alarming that after 13 years [since
the ousting of the Taliban], the mentality of people has not changed towards
women,” said Samira Hamidi, an activist from Afghan Women’s Network who
attended the trial.
The prosecution has also been a test for the new
Afghan government, which has pledged to improve transparency and fight endemic
nepotism and corruption.
“It’s definitely about Farkhunda; it’s
definitely about her family,” said Kimberley Motley, an attorney who
represented Farkhunda’s family. “But to some extent, this has also put the
Afghan legal system on trial.”