The Supreme Court upholds the death sentence passed on Hussein Humam by the High Court for the murder of former parliamentarian and religious scholar Dr Afrasheem Ali.
This is the first death sentence to be confirmed since the death penalty was re-introduced in the country. The sentence has to be implemented within 30 days unless a pardon is sought and granted.
The five-judge bench of the Supreme Court unanimously delivered the verdict at 2am on Friday.
In its verdict, the apex court stated that Humam admitted to having committed the crime twice during the lower court trial and statements given by the defendant cannot be reversed as per Islamic Shariah.
Dr Afrasheem was stabbed to death outside his home on the night of October 1st, 2012.
Earlier, the Supreme Court also rejected attempts by members of the late MP’s family to delay the death penalty. A letter by Dr. Afrasheem's family appealing to delay the sentence was rejected by the court saying it was sent outside official working hours.
Despite the verdict, Humam still has a chance to avoid the death penalty and it rests with members of MP Afrasheem's family, who are empowered by law to grant a pardon.