A Pakistani court has sentenced four people to death for blasphemy. Under the country’s blasphemy laws, anyone found guilty of insulting Islam or its religious figures can be sentenced to death. Judge Tariq Ayub in the city of Rawalpindi declared Saturday that blasphemy, disrespect to holy figures, and desecration of the Quran were unforgivable offenses and left no room for leniency. The men's lawyer has criticized the decision and says appeal preparations are underway. Authorities have yet to carry out a death sentence for blasphemy, although the accusation can incite mob violence or reprisals.
