Accessibility links

Breaking News

Execution Of Youth Suspect Stayed In Pakistan


In Pakistan, a man charged as a child with murder and due to be hanged this week has been given a reprieve.

Shafqat Hussain was scheduled to be executed early on March 19 in the port city of Karachi for the 2004 killing of a seven-year-old.

His family and lawyers say he was 14 years old at the time of the crime and allege his confession was extracted through torture.

After a public outcry and condemnation from human rights groups, officials stayed his execution late on March 18 although it is not clear for how long.

Hussain's case is the most high-profile execution case following a government decision to lift Pakistan's moratorium on the death penalty.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ended the moratorium for terrorism-related cases in December, following a Pakistani Taliban attack on a school that killed more than 150 people, and it has since been lifted entirely.

Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and dpa

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG