Kuala Lumpur: A 23-year-old Saudi journalist,
who had allegedly made blasphemous remarks on Twitter was
deported from Malaysia on Sunday, despite pleas from rights groups
that he may be executed in his home country.
Hamza Kashgari, was sent back to Saudi Arabia despite
protests from human rights groups.
Though a Malaysian High Court judge today granted an
injunction to the lawyers representing the young journalist
staying his deportation, the ruling came in too late as the
scribe had already been flown back.
The journalist`s controversial tweet on Prophet Muhammad
last week was condemned by more than 30,000 responses.
Insulting the prophet is considered blasphemous in Islam
and is a crime punishable by execution in Saudi Arabia.
Kashgari fled Saudi Arabia last week and was detained upon
his arrival here at the Kuala Lumpur international airport on
Thursday.
He had apparently fled to Malaysia after he continued to
receive threats even though he had apologised and deleted the
tweet.
Though Muslim majority Malaysia does not have extradition
treaty with Saudi Arabia, the two nations have strong ties.
Amnesty International feared Kashgari could be executed in
Saudi Arabia if he was found guilty of apostasy.
He was handed over to Saudi officials and flown back this
morning.
Flight arrangements were handled by the Saudi authorities,
a spokesman said.
PTI
