26 Arrested For Beating, Burning Afghani Woman Accused of Desecrating Quran
Officials in Afghanistan have announced that 26 suspects have been arrested in connection to a recent mob attack that killed a 27-year-old woman who was accused of burning the Quran.
The vicious attack took place last Thursday in Kabul, where 27-year-old Farkhunda was beaten by a group of men under accusations that she set the Islamic Holy Book on fire.
Farkhunda was reportedly beaten in the streets before being thrown off a roof, run over by a car, burned, and ultimately thrown into the Kabul River.
Following the 27-year-old woman's death, protesters took to the streets to express their opposition to Farkhunda's violent beating and death. While initial reports suggested the victim was mentally ill, her parents recently told CNN that she taught the Quran to young children and had a degree in religious studies, and the allegations that she burned the Holy Book are false.
"I want all the judicial institutions to prosecute the perpetrators," the 27-year-old's father, Nadir told CNN affiliate TOLOnews. "I don't want blood of my daughter go in vain."
The details of Farkhunda's death remain unclear, but the most prevailing narrative involves the veiled 27-year-old getting into an argument with an amulet seller in front of a local shrine. The details of what happened next vary ,but it appears that one of the shrine's attendants accused Farkhunda of burning pieces of paper with Quran verses on them as a sign of protest against the amulet seller.
The recent incident has sparked international condemnation, with many calling on the Afghani government to take more steps to protect women.
"We want justice for Farkhunda, we want justice for Afghan women. All these injustices happening to Afghan women are unacceptable," Dr. Alima, a well-known activist, told the Associated Press.
"In which religion or faith is it acceptable to burn a person to death? Today is a day of national mourning and we will not keep quiet," the activist added.
