Pakistani Gets Death for Blasphemy

LAHORE, Pakistan (AP) - A court sentenced a young Muslim to death Saturday for making derogatory statements about the Prophet Mohammed and Islam, police and court officials said.

Wajihul Hassan, 27, was also sentenced to 10 years in jail. Adding jail terms to death sentences is frequent in Pakistan.

Hassan was arrested on the complaint of Ismail Quereshi, a lawyer, who told the police that Hassan had sent him letters, criticizing the prophet's behavior and the teachings of Islam.

Pakistan's strict blasphemy laws, under which scores of people are arrested every year, have been widely criticized by minorities in the overwhelmingly Muslim country.

Last week, a Pakistani Christian who claimed he was Jesus Christ and called Islam a fake religion was convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to death by hanging despite arguments that he is mentally ill.