Malaysian authorities have deported a Saudi newspaper columnist accused of insulting Mohammed in a tweet. Police have confirmed that Hamza Kashgari was sent back to Saudi Arabia on Sunday despite protests from human rights groups. Kashgari's controversial tweet last week caused more than 30,000 responses and several death threats.Kashgari, 23, fled Saudi Arabia last week and was detained upon his arrival in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. He had tweeted of doubts about Mohammed on the prophet's birthday last week. Saudi clerics condemned his remarks as blasphemous. Kashgari apologized and deleted the tweet, but when the threats continued, he left for Malaysia.
Mr Kashgari's lawyer had obtained an injunction on Sunday to permit him to stay in Malaysia until his case was heard, but it was too late.
Malaysia's home ministry made a statement saying, "The nature of the charges against the individual in this case are a matter for the Saudi Arabian authorities."
Amnesty International has warned that Kashgari could be executed if he is found guilty of apostasy. Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui of Amnesty's Middle East division said, "If the Malaysian authorities hand over Hamza Kashgari to Saudi Arabia, they could end up complicit in any violations he suffers."