Pakistan hangs killer, rejects another’s plea

AFP, ISLAMABAD: Pakistan yesterday hanged a man allegedly tortured into confessing to murder as a minor and rejected an appeal from another
rights groups say was condemned as a juvenile, in the latest death row cases to draw international condemnation.
Aftab Bahadur Masih went to the gallows in the eastern city of Lahore after more than two decades on death row, despite pleas for mercy from lawyers and church leaders, who said he was only 15 when he was convicted.
"Aftab Bahadur Masih, a Christian man, was hanged in Kot Lakhpat prison of Lahore Wednesday morning," an official at the jail told AFP on condition of anonymity. Another prison official confirmed the hanging.
Hours later the Supreme Court rejected an appeal by Shafqat Hussain, convicted of killing a young boy in 2004, when his lawyers and family say he was under 18 and therefore not eligible for execution under Pakistani law.
Pakistan's resumption of executions in December after a six-year moratorium has prompted grave concerns from rights groups, the United Nations and the European Union.

Pakistan hangs killer, rejects anothers plea

AFP, ISLAMABAD: Pakistan yesterday hanged a man allegedly tortured into confessing to murder as a minor and rejected an appeal from another rights groups say was condemned as a juvenile, in the latest death row cases to draw international condemnation. Aftab Bahadur Masih went to the gallows in the eastern city of Lahore after more than two decades on death row, despite pleas for mercy from lawyers and church leaders, who said he was only 15 when he was convicted. Aftab Bahadur Masih, a Christian man, was hanged in Kot Lakhpat prison of Lahore Wednesday morning, an official at the jail told AFP on condition of anonymity. Another prison official confirmed the hanging. Hours later the Supreme Court rejected an appeal by Shafqat Hussain, convicted of killing a young boy in 2004, when his lawyers and family say he was under 18 and therefore not eligible for execution under Pakistani law. Pakistans resumption of executions in December after a six-year moratorium has prompted grave concerns from rights groups, the United Nations and the European Union.