KUALA LUMPUR // Malaysian authorities have deported a Saudi journalist accused of insulting the Prophet Mohammed on Twitter, a police official said. The move came despite concerns from rights groups that he may be persecuted at home.
Hamza Kashgari, a Jeddah-based newspaper columnist, was detained on Thursday upon his arrival in Malaysia. Some Saudis have reportedly made death threats against him or called for him to face criminal charges over remarks he tweeted that many considered offensive.
Mr Kashgari, 23, reportedly posted the comments on his Twitter feed to mark the Prophet Mohammed's birthday, drawing thousands of outraged comments on Twitter and other social networking sites.
His comments cannot by verified as he later deleted them.
Ramli Yoosuf, the Malaysian national police spokesman, said that the journalist was handed over to Saudi officials and flown back this morning. Flight arrangements were handled by the Saudi authorities, he said, adding he could not give further details.
Hishammuddin Hussein, the home minister, said in a statement that any charges against Mr Kashgari were "a matter for the Saudi Arabian authorities".
Blasphemy is a crime punishable by execution under Saudi Arabia's strict interpretation of Sharia. It is not a capital crime in Malaysia.
Mohammed Afiq Mohammed Noor, a lawyer appointed by Mr Kashgari's family, said the move was unlawful because he had obtained a court order to block the deportation. He said he has not been informed by police and was still verifying if the Saudi had indeed been sent back.
"We are concerned that he would not face a fair trial back home and that he could face the death penalty if he is charged with apostasy," the lawyer said.
Amnesty International has called Mr Kashgari a "prisoner of conscience" and called for his release.
Human Rights Watch said Saudi clerics have condemned Mr Kashgari as an apostate who must face punishment.
The rights group had urged Malaysia to allow him to seek asylum.
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Jawan
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
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SPECS
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If you go
The flights
Emirates and Etihad fly direct to Nairobi, with fares starting from Dh1,695. The resort can be reached from Nairobi via a 35-minute flight from Wilson Airport or Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, or by road, which takes at least three hours.
The rooms
Rooms at Fairmont Mount Kenya range from Dh1,870 per night for a deluxe room to Dh11,000 per night for the William Holden Cottage.
It’ll be summer in the city as car show tries to move with the times
If 2008 was the year that rocked Detroit, 2019 will be when Motor City gives its annual car extravaganza a revamp that aims to move with the times.
A major change is that this week's North American International Auto Show will be the last to be held in January, after which the event will switch to June.
The new date, organisers said, will allow exhibitors to move vehicles and activities outside the Cobo Center's halls and into other city venues, unencumbered by cold January weather, exemplified this week by snow and ice.
In a market in which trends can easily be outpaced beyond one event, the need to do so was probably exacerbated by the decision of Germany's big three carmakers – BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi – to skip the auto show this year.
The show has long allowed car enthusiasts to sit behind the wheel of the latest models at the start of the calendar year but a more fluid car market in an online world has made sales less seasonal.
Similarly, everyday technology seems to be catching up on those whose job it is to get behind microphones and try and tempt the visiting public into making a purchase.
Although sparkly announcers clasp iPads and outline the technical gadgetry hidden beneath bonnets, people's obsession with their own smartphones often appeared to offer a more tempting distraction.
“It's maddening,” said one such worker at Nissan's stand.
The absence of some pizzazz, as well as top marques, was also noted by patrons.
“It looks like there are a few less cars this year,” one annual attendee said of this year's exhibitors.
“I can't help but think it's easier to stay at home than to brave the snow and come here.”
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)
Power: 141bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Price: Dh64,500
On sale: Now
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