DHAKA: Four Afghan men have been sentenced to death over a mob attack in which a woman was beaten to death after being accused of burning the Koran.

The 28-year-old woman called Farkhunda was accused of burning the Koran, although witnesses say she did not. She was beaten to death and her body then burned on 19 March.

The incident led to widespread protests against the treatment of women.

The four sentenced on Wednesday are among 49 defendants in the case.

Farkhunda had argued with a mullah, or religious teacher, about his practice of selling charms to women at a shrine.

In the course of the argument she was accused of burning the Koran and a crowd overheard and attacked her.

In confession statements read in court, some of the accused admitted they were drawn in by the claims.

An official investigator has said there is no evidence she burned the Koran, reports the BBC.

BDST: 1245 HRS, MAY 06, 2015
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