JINHA

NEWS CENTER - The court that sentenced to death several members of the mob who killed Afghan woman Farkhunda has now canceled the earlier ruling. The men will now receive prison sentences of 10-20 years.

Farkhunda, 27, was killed by a mob in Kabul on March 19 based on the allegation that she burned a copy of the Quran. Her death launched massive protests women across Afghanistan.

Of the 49 civilians tried in relation to her death in May, four received a death sentence, while eight were sentenced to prison time. 11 of the 19 police officers tried received prison sentences. In other words, of 68 individuals tried in relation to the killing, 45 were acquitted.

Now, the four men sentenced to death have had their sentences reduced to jail time. Three of the men have been sentenced to 20 years in prison; the fourth will receive 10 years because he is a minor. Reactions have been strong to the ruling, taken in a closed session of the court.

"Not only the Taliban, but the whole system is oppressing women," said women's rights activist Wazhma Frogh, denouncing the decision.

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