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Kidnapped Sudan editor beheaded | Kidnapped Sudan editor beheaded |
(about 6 hours later) | |
The beheaded body of a Sudanese newspaper editor has been found on the outskirts of the capital, Khartoum. | The beheaded body of a Sudanese newspaper editor has been found on the outskirts of the capital, Khartoum. |
Mohammed Taha ran the al-Wifaq paper and was taken from his home on Tuesday night by an unknown group of armed men. | Mohammed Taha ran the al-Wifaq paper and was taken from his home on Tuesday night by an unknown group of armed men. |
Last year, he was put on trial for blasphemy after his pro-government paper reprinted an article questioning the parentage of the prophet Muhammad. | Last year, he was put on trial for blasphemy after his pro-government paper reprinted an article questioning the parentage of the prophet Muhammad. |
The charges were later dropped but if convicted of blasphemy under Sharia law, he could have been put to death. | The charges were later dropped but if convicted of blasphemy under Sharia law, he could have been put to death. |
The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Khartoum says no-one has claimed responsibility but suspicion will immediately turn to Sudan's hardline Islamic groups. | The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Khartoum says no-one has claimed responsibility but suspicion will immediately turn to Sudan's hardline Islamic groups. |
In May last year, thousands of people demonstrated outside a courtroom in central Khartoum calling for Mr Taha to be put to death. | In May last year, thousands of people demonstrated outside a courtroom in central Khartoum calling for Mr Taha to be put to death. |
After several emotionally charged days the case was adjourned and later quietly dropped. | After several emotionally charged days the case was adjourned and later quietly dropped. |
Our correspondent says the killing of Mr Taha, an ally of Khartoum's Islamist government, will raise fears that extremist groups are once again active in Sudan. | |
Sudan provided a home for al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in the 1990s and the country is still on the United States' list of states sponsoring terrorism. | Sudan provided a home for al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in the 1990s and the country is still on the United States' list of states sponsoring terrorism. |
Khartoum has been governed by strict Islamic Sharia law since 1983 - but our correspondent says that in recent years courts have shown a degree of flexibility in their interpretations of Islamic law. | Khartoum has been governed by strict Islamic Sharia law since 1983 - but our correspondent says that in recent years courts have shown a degree of flexibility in their interpretations of Islamic law. |
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