http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-19906528
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Christian boy in Pakistan arrested for blasphemy
Rights activists have long urged Pakistan to reform blasphemy laws
A 16-year-old Christian boy has been held on blasphemy charges in the Pakistani city of Karachi.
The boy, named by police as Ryan Stanten, is said to have forwarded a text message which allegedly contained offensive material on Tuesday.
The following day an angry crowd ransacked his family home, setting fire to their belongings on the street.
Pakistan's blasphemy laws have been criticised for their severity and for being open to abuse.
There has been renewed focus on the laws ever since a young Pakistani Christian girl was arrested in August on blasphemy charges after a mob accused her of burning the Koran.
Following an outcry over the case, Rimsha Masih, who is thought to be 14 years old but with a younger mental age, was released on bail - an extremely rare move in blasphemy cases.
Continue reading the main story Pakistan's blasphemy laws
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- After partition in 1947 Pakistan inherited offences relating to religion, which were first codified by India's British rulers in 1860
- In the 1980s clauses were added to the laws by the military government of General Zia-ul Haq
- One clause recommends life imprisonment for "wilful" desecration of the Koran. Another says blasphemy is punishable by death or life imprisonment
- Muslims constitute a majority of those booked under these laws, followed by the minority Ahmadi community
- A majority support the idea that blasphemers should be punished, but there is little understanding of what religious scripture says as opposed to how the modern law is codified
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Reports say the 16-year-old boy was taken to see local prayer leaders in Karachi after the message was sent on Tuesday.
Police say the boy told the leaders he had forwarded the message without reading it to others in the middle-class compound for employees of the local gas company where he lived.
Last edited by Tyr-Ziu Saxnot; 10-13-2012 at 09:55 PM.
18 U.S. Code § 2381-Treason Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.
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