Blasphemy Trial Postponed

Tue., Jan. 24, 1995

Compiled From Wire Services

For the second time in a month, a court on Monday postponed the blasphemy trial of a Bangladeshi author who fled to Sweden to escape death threats by Islamic radicals.

The delay until Feb. 9 came when prosecutors failed to produce a government statement allowing Taslima Nasrin’s trial.

The government’s assent is required if an offense is committed in a foreign country. Ms. Nasrin is charged with insulting Islam in an interview with an Indian newspaper.

Government attorney Abdur Razzak Khan told the Magistrate’s Court that he will obtain the required form before Feb. 9.

Ms. Nasrin outraged Muslim radicals last year when she was quoted as calling for changes in the Islamic holy book, the Koran. She denied insulting Islam but said she favored changes in Islamic law to give more rights to women.

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Blasphemy Trial Postponed

Jesse Tinsley

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