Andre Yoskowitz
19 Jun 2010 12:27
Media reports from Pakistan today are saying that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg could face the death penalty in the nation, for allowing users of his site to run a "Draw the Prophet Muhammad" contest last month.
Pakistani penal code allows for the death penalty in certain cases of blasphemy.
The popular social networking site was banned in Pakistan when the contest started, but access was later restored, with all "offensive contents" removed.
While the police in the nation have already started formal proceedings, there is little chance Zuckerberg will be extradited to Pakistan to face his accusers.
Human rights watchdog Privacy International had this to say on the matter: "The move to prosecute Zuckerberg parallels the government’s attempts to shut down a substantial spectrum of internet activity."
Additionally, PI says the Pakistani government is planning to increase its censorship in the nation, which is already one of the world's most censored in terms of Internet activity.