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LAHORE: Lawyers showered rose petals over the suspected killer of Punjab governor when he arrived at court Wednesday and an influential Muslim scholars group praised the assassination of the outspoken opponent of blasphemy laws.
More than 500 clerics and scholars from the group Jamat Ahle Sunnat said no one should pray or express regret for the killing of Punjab province Gov. Salman Taseer. The group represents Pakistan's majority Barelvi sect.
"The supporter is as equally guilty as one who committed blasphemy," the group warned in a statement, adding politicians, the media and others should learn "a lesson from the exemplary death."
Jamat leader, Maulana Shah Turabul Haq Qadri, paid "glorious tribute to the murderer ... for his courage, bravery and religious honor and integrity."
The suspected killer, 26-year-old Mumtaz Qadri, told interrogators Tuesday that he shot the moderate Taseer multiple times because of the politician's outspoken opposition to the harsh blasphemy laws.
Qadri is a name commonly adopted by devout men of the Barelvi sect.
The suspect was making his first appearance in an Islamabad court where a judge remanded him in custody. Lawyers who were not involved in the case threw handfuls of rose petals over his head and a rowdy crowd slapped him on the back and kissed his cheek as he was escorted inside.
Qadri is accused of spraying Taseer in the back with more than 20 rounds of automatic gunfire in an Islamabad street on Tuesday. The 26-year-old commando had been assigned to protect his victim. He has yet to be charged with a crime.
Taseer was a close ally of U.S.-backed President Asif Ali Zardari and the highest-profile political figure to be assassinated since former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was slain three years ago. His death was a reminder of the growing danger to those in Pakistan who dare to challenge Islamist extremists.
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