Pakistan: Tourist accused of blasphemy killed by mob

A tourist was dragged out of a police station in northwest Pakistan and killed by a mob after being accused of blasphemy.

Police had tried to protect the man from the large group in the town of Madyan, a city in Swat district.

The mob had gathered after the man was accused on Thursday of desecrating the Koran, the holy book of Islam.

Lynchings following accusations of blasphemy, which is punishable by death in Pakistan, are not uncommon.

Last month, a Christian was attacked after being accused of burning pages of the Koran and died shortly afterwards.

A video of this latest incident sparked outrage on Pakistan’s social media. The footage shows the man’s body being carried through the streets and then set on fire.

Police confirmed that the tourist was “set on fire” and that about eleven people were injured in the incident.

Mohammad Ali Gandapur, regional police chief of Malankand division, accused the local mosque of encouraging people to gather after police rescued the man, who was reportedly travelling in Swat Valley, a popular summer tourist destination.

He told Reuters that eight officers were among the injured.

Dr Zahidullah, a police officer in the Swat area, told BBC Urdu that police made major efforts to clear the blocked roads and disperse the angry crowds on Thursday evening.

Police said they were investigating hundreds of people involved in the incident – some as young as 13. Local authorities have since deployed additional security forces to the area.

According to BBC Urdu, hotels in the city were fully booked, but now tourists were trying to leave the city.

Sectarian violence in Pakistan has increased since the country made blasphemy – a law passed by the British in the 19th century – punishable by death in the 1980s.

Even unfounded accusations can trigger protests and mob violence against alleged perpetrators. Human rights critics have long argued that minorities are often the target of accusations.

About 96 percent of Pakistan’s population is Muslim. Other countries such as Iran, Brunei and Mauritania also impose the death penalty for insulting religion.