ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - A homeopathic doctor was sentenced to death Saturday for blasphemy and making insulting remarks about Islam's Prophet Mohammed, court officials said.
Sheikh Mohammed Younus also was fined $1,500. He was arrested in October after students complained about a lecture he gave at a private college in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.
Lower court Judge Safdar Hussain Malik said Younus deserved to be hanged for making derogatory remarks about Mohammed.
In Pakistan, those found guilty of blasphemous remarks against Islam, the Quran - the Muslim Holy book - or the prophet can be sentenced to death.
Human rights groups say the controversial blasphemy law is used to victimize religious minorities in this Islamic state of 140 million people. Most Pakistanis, including Younus, are Sunni Muslims.
Many accused of blasphemy have been killed by zealots even after being acquitted by courts, and so far none has been hanged on court orders. Hundreds, mostly from religious minorities, remain in prison on blasphemy charges.
Younus is allowed to appeal the verdict.