A policeman stands guard inside the compound of an Ahmadi worship place, May 30, 2010. PHOTO: REUTERS
On Friday, May 28, 2010, over 88 people were killed in twin gun-and-bomb attacks at Ahmadi places of worship in the Garhi Shahu and Model Town areas in Lahore.
"Accused Muaz (alias Muaviya), 27, has been given the death sentence on seven counts of murder and terrorism for the attack on the Ahmadi places of worship," prosecutor Rai Asif Mehmood told AFP. The court awarded death sentence on three counts under section 7A of Anti Terrorism Act, death on three counts under section 302(Punishment of Qatl-i-Amd) of Pakistan Penal Code and death on one count under section 3 (Punishment for causing explosion likely to endanger life or property) of Explosives Substances ACT, 1908.
The court gave life imprisonment to Muaviya's co-accused Abdullah, 21, on nine counts of terrorism and use of explosives, Mehmood said. Abdullah was handed the 'lighter' sentence because he was a juvenile when the crime was committed. He further prayed the court count his under-trial imprisonment, which the court accepted.
The men were fined Rs3 million rupees each, Mehmood added.
A second prosecution official confirmed the sentences.
The pair's defence lawyer Rana Arif told AFP that his clients could appeal against the verdicts.
The attacks sparked more than two hours of gun battles with police and commandos. Muaviya and Abdullah were detained at the scene while two other suspects remain at large, according to officials.
Gunmen later attacked the hospital where victims were being treated, killing another 12 people.
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First of all i want to congratulate Express tribune and English news channels of Pakistan that atleast they have the guts to mention the name of Ahmedis otherwise Urdu newspapers and many leading news channels did not bother to mention that news and those who mentioned used the Word "Aqliyat" and some used the Discriminatory word "Qadianis" just to torture them emotionally.
@Careless Whispers In Europe and America anyone born and bred there is considered a local with full rights. But why in our country Anyone with a Different view than Sunni dominant Islam is considered a second class citizen? When Pakistanis will learn that unless everyone in Pakistan will become a Pakistani we can never progress. Also as a note When Some Person in developed nation give rights then he dont need to mention Bible or another scripture but in Pakistan even to give some rights you infact somehow give credit to yourself and to the Religion rather than to common sense to do anything for humanity. Think about it for a while.
Life sentence for mass murder? hmmm...I have to ask, was the judge sober at the time of sentencing?
Hanging them for the crimes they committed, protecting the minorities is our responsibility, that's what Islam teaches..
Why not in army courts?
They attacked two places simultaneously . There were more than two terrorists. What about the others. Are they at large ?
as a muslim and pakistani... i am happy that these terrorists are sentenced. we need to protect the minorities as they are as pakistanis as we are. hope the appeals process will not take long.
Justice at last
Now since this murderer has been sentenced for murder, he should be given 30 days to appeal this decision in higher courts. If the court confirm the lower courts verdict then he should be hanged immediately. Ahmadis are as honorable Pakistanis as anybody else. Once this country realizes the importance of protecting minorities and their rights, Pakistan will once again become a greatest muslim country in this world.