Mashal Khan case: One sentenced to death, five sent to prison for 25 years

Announcing the verdict in Mashal Khan lynching case, the anti-terrorism court (ATC) sentenced one of the accused to death, while sending five suspects to prison for 25 years.

The ATC has acquitted 26 of the suspects involved in the case while awarding four years of imprisonment to 25 other suspects in the case. The prime suspect Imran has been sentenced to death after he was found guilty of shooting Mashal. Last year in April, Imran had confessed to his crime before a judicial magistrate in Mardan.

Special Judge ATC Fazal-e-Subhan Khan announced the verdict at the heavily guarded Central Jail Haripur, local media reported. The jail administration had also banned the entry of visitors and all sorts of media. All the accused were presented in the court during today's proceedings.

Mashal Khan murder case verdict to be announced on Wednesday

Speaking to the media after the verdict was announced, Mashal’s brother said that their family had demanded that each of the accused be given punishment. He further said that their family will consult with their lawyer regarding the decision taken by the court.

Judge ATC Fazal-e-Subhan had reserved his verdict on January 27 after concluding the hearing. The verdict has been decided after the case which went over the course of five months. During the court proceedings, the court recorded statements from 57 people accused in his murder.

Mashal, a 23-year-old student of Mass Communication and media studies at the Abdul Wali Khan University was lynched by a mob on April 13, 2017 after blasphemy allegations. The video of his murder, which circulated on social media, was also presented as evidence in front of the court.