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
-
Photos: Police engage religious leaders at National Police Headquarters
32 seconds -
Gov’t invests GH¢443m in Free Primary Health Care – Dr Asare Bampoe
39 minutes -
ECG announces power outages in parts of Accra West and Central regions
57 minutes -
Otumfuo calls for urgent action to end maternal deaths in Ghana
1 hour -
Prioritise Bawumia’s interest and vote on merit – NPP elder urges delegates Â
1 hour -
Jason Arday death ‘tragedy on so many levels’ says PM
2 hours -
Rotary Club donates phototherapy machine to Ussher Hospital
2 hours -
Analysis: Jason Arday’s death will send shockwaves through a divided academia
2 hours -
CJ’s vacation warrants not limited to politically sensitive cases – Victoria Bright
3 hours -
Parts of Accra to experience power interruption on Sunday for emergency GRIDCo tower restoration
3 hours -
Dafeamekpor defends Ayine’s handling of Aksa case, faults past AGs
4 hours -
Luv FM High School Debate: Afigyaman, OKESS seal Round of 16 spots in style
4 hours -
Dafeamekpor urges Parliament to stay out of Aksa probe, backs expert-led inquiry
4 hours -
The rise and rise of Azigi
4 hours -
Is Angela List being targeted? Government must reconsider the Adamus revocation
4 hours