Eye on Extremism: Facebook CEO faces death sentence in Pakistan

Privacy International said the government of Pakistan is moving swiftly through the High Court to shut down a substantial spectrum of Internet activity and communication.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |
Source & Credit: CyberMedia News
By COIL | June 19, 2010

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg could be facing prosecution under a Pakistan penal code that allows for sentence of death for blasphemy, according to media reports.

Following a caricature contest, which asked the participants to draw images of the Prophet Muhammad, the social networking site was banned in Pakistan. Though the ban was lifted later, after the site removed al the ‘offensive contents’, police investigation is still on said reports.


Police have already started formal proceedings against Zuckerberg. However, he is unlikely to be extradited to Pakistan to face the charges.

“The move to prosecute Zuckerberg parallels the government’s attempts to shut down a substantial spectrum of internet activity,” says human rights watchdog Privacy International.

It said the government of Pakistan is moving swiftly through the High Court to shut down a substantial spectrum of Internet activity and communication.

Citing a confidential draft of new censorship provisions, it said the government is planning to increase its already powerful grip over freedom of expression.

The FIR – number 614/2010  - was lodged at Civil Lines Police Station Lahore under section "295-C” of the Pakistan Penal Code, which reads “Use of derogatory remarks, etc., in respect of the Holy Prophet. Whoever by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation, or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine," said the organization.

The actual FIR details the charge “in respect of an offense under Section 295-C Pakistan Penal Code and punishment under this offense is death penalty or rigorous life imprisonment”, it added.

Facebook banned in Mantralaya

Meanwhile, The Times of India reported that Maharashtra government has banned the use of Facebook in Mantralaya.

The IT department within the Mantralaya was asked to block access to the website following complaints that the employees there were hooked to the website during the work hours thereby affecting work, said the report.

©CyberMedia News



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