A Pakistani court has sentenced a British national of Pakistani origin to death for blasphemy for claiming he was a prophet of Islam.
Mohammad Asghar was arrested in 2010 in the city of Rawalpindi after he wrote letters claiming he was a prophet.
The court on January 23 rejected defense claims that the 65-year-old had mental-health problems.
Blasphemy is a highly sensitive issue in Pakistan and is punishable by death.
Rights groups say the tough blasphemy laws are frequently used to settle personal scores and have demanded their repeal.
In 2012, Rimsha Masih, a young Christian girl, was arrested for alleged blasphemy in Islamabad in a case that provoked international concern.
The charges against her were eventually thrown out and she fled to Canada with her family.
Mohammad Asghar was arrested in 2010 in the city of Rawalpindi after he wrote letters claiming he was a prophet.
The court on January 23 rejected defense claims that the 65-year-old had mental-health problems.
Blasphemy is a highly sensitive issue in Pakistan and is punishable by death.
Rights groups say the tough blasphemy laws are frequently used to settle personal scores and have demanded their repeal.
In 2012, Rimsha Masih, a young Christian girl, was arrested for alleged blasphemy in Islamabad in a case that provoked international concern.
The charges against her were eventually thrown out and she fled to Canada with her family.
