Malaysian jailed for over 10 years for insulting Islam

By Omer Faruk Yildiz

KUALA LUMPUR (AA) - A man in Malaysia was sentenced to 10 years and 10 months in prison for offensive social media posts against Islam, local media reported on Saturday.

Four suspects were detained in Malaysia earlier in the week on charges of misusing communication networks by insulting Islam and Prophet Muhammad on social media, Bernama news agency quoted a police official as saying.

Another social media user had also pleaded guilty and a sentencing hearing would be held on Monday, the news agency said.

Two other accused who pleaded not guilty were not granted bail and the court fixed April 5 for their trial, it added.

Offensive social media posts against Islam and the Prophet Muhammad have been on rise in recent times in Malaysia. The Malaysian Police Department has announced that they have received 929 notifications on the case up to date.

On March 1, Malaysian non-governmental organizations protested a Chinese offensive statements against Prophet Muhammad made by Wai Foo Sing, 68, who was arrested for posting a cartoon image on social media last month.

* Writing and contribution by Jeyhun Aliyev from Ankara.