Pakistan 'blasphemy school' headteacher remanded
Lahore, Nov 3, 2012 (AFP)
A Pakistani court today refused bail to the headteacher of a school caught in a blasphemy row over a piece of homework allegedly containing derogatory references to Prophet Mohammed.
Asim Farooqi, 77, was remanded in custody for 14 days on charges of blasphemy -- which can attract the death penalty -- despite arguing he had no direct part in the case.
One of his teachers, Arfa Iftikhar, was forced into hiding after a furious mob stormed Farooqi Girls' High School in the eastern city of Lahore over a piece of homework she set.
"The bail petition is dismissed," Judge Anjum Raza announced after hearing arguments from Farooqi's lawyer.
