Audio By Carbonatix
A Mauritanian secondary school student has been arrested for writing an exam paper considered insulting to the Prophet Muhammad in last month's baccalaureate exams.
Domestic media have reported that religious authorities demanded the death penalty if the young woman, who has not been named, is found guilty of blasphemy in court.
Mauritania has strengthened blasphemy laws, prescribing the death penalty for Muslims who "ridicule or insult God or the Prophet, even if they repent".
Previously people could avoid the death sentence if they expressed remorse.
Pan-Arab news outlet al-Quds al-Araby reported on Wednesday that the student is from the north-western town of Atar and comes from the Haratin ethnic group, who are the descendants of slaves of sub-Saharan origin.
Latest Stories
-
Why has Trump eased sanctions on Russian oil – and will it help Putin?
25 minutes -
ETI Jumps GH¢0.22, Enterprise Group gains GH¢0.51 as GSE cap hits GH¢292billion
1 hour -
Police arrest five suspects over daring GHS 200,000 Chinese firm heist
1 hour -
The 27 black billionaires you should know
2 hours -
Thomas Partey to deny rape charges, court hears
2 hours -
Prime Insight to dissect Dzata Jet use by Mahama, the GH¢ 68bn audit report scandal and security service recruitment
2 hours -
Suspend security recruitment now — Minority warns of “scam” amid massive youth rush
3 hours -
Parliament passes bill to cut gold mining tax from 3% to 1%
3 hours -
Kidney health in the spotlight: SHEILD Ghana issues urgent call for national action on World Kidney Day
4 hours -
Ernesto Yeboah writes: For over 20 years, I have fought a silent battle
5 hours -
‘Heart cleanser’ or toxic cocktail? FDA sounds alarm over ‘Sukudai’
5 hours -
Ghana’s ‘Tier 2’ status under fire: NGOs demand radical action against GH¢7m modern slavery crisis
5 hours -
NPP launches digital membership drive; bans manual dues collection by executives
5 hours -
Learn to win with others – Richard Nii Armah Quaye advises young entrepreneurs
5 hours -
Build yourself first, success requires discipline and time – Richard Nii Armah Quaye tells youth
5 hours