Pakistani Deputy AG: Death to Zuckerberg!

|

Pakistan's enlightened and forward-looking deputy attorney general wants Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg prosecuted for blasphemy for hosting a page (later removed) promoting "Everyone Draw Mohammed Day." If convicted of being the Jewish owner of a social networking site that possesses insufficient respect for the Muslim prophet, Zuckerberg would face the death penalty. All of this is symbolic, of course; I wish the religious fanatics in the attorney general's office (peace be upon them) luck in extraditing the CEO of Facebook. The Register has details:

Last month, according to English-language Pakistani newspaper The News International, a Pakistani High Court judge summoned the police after lawyer Muhammad Azhar Siddique filed an application for a First Information Report (FIR), claiming that the owners of Facebook had committed a heinous and serious crime under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code. In essence, an FIR launches a criminal investigation. But no charges have been filed.

According to the paper, Section 295-C of the penal code reads: "Use of derogatory remark etc, in respect of the Holy Prophet, whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation, or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable for fine."