Woman lynched in Kabul did not burn Quran, officials say

The Ministry of Hajj and Religious Affairs (MoHRA) officials have said that the woman who was lynched by mob in Kabul did not burn the holy Quran.

The officials confirmed that their investigations have revealed the books had Persian transcripts and there was evidence to prove the accusations against the victim.

The woman lynched by mob in Kabul on Thursday was identified as Farkhunda who was a resient of Khair Khana area of Kabul city.

She was reportedly visiting Shah Do Shamsher shrine and mosque every weekend for prayers who was suffering mental illness for many years.

At least seven people including a man who had claimed involvement in murder and burning of Farkhunda were arrested by police following the incident.

Sediq Sediqi, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior (MoI), said Friday that the Interior Minister has ordered to launch an investigation into the incident and detain all those involved behind the murder of the woman.

President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani also ordered an immediate probe into incident and formation of an independent commission to investigate the brutal murder of the woman.

The United Nations also condemned the brutal murder of the woman in the strongest terms. “We are particularly worried by reports that the woman had suffered from mental illness for many years,” said Elzira Sagynbaeva, the Country Representative for UN Women in Afghanistan. “We are encouraged by initial reports of the arrest of several suspects, but call on the authorities to investigate this incident fully and bring to justice all persons who actively participated in the killing, or aided and abetted it.”

The continued increase in the number of cases of violence against women and girls in Afghanistan has become a source of major concern, Ms. Sagynbaeva noted, and must not be tolerated. Afghan women’s rights to safety and security have to be ensured, she said, and the survivors of violence supported and perpetrators brought to justice.

Mark Bowden, the Deputy Special Representative for the Secretary-General in Afghanistan and acting head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), also condemned the attack.

“The burning of the Quran contradicts the efforts of the United Nations to promote tolerance, intercultural understanding and mutual respect between cultures and religions,” said Mr. Bowden. “However, the brutal murder of this woman is an unspeakably horrendous act that should result in those responsible being prosecuted, to the fullest extent possible, under Afghan law.”

Ms. Sagynbaeva, Mr. Bowden and the UN family in Afghanistan extend their deepest condolences to the family of the victim.