‘Insult to Islam’ Trial Delayed

Bangladesh on Saturday began the trial of self-exiled feminist writer Taslima Nasrin, but court proceedings were postponed after her attorneys signaled an appeal against trying her in absentia.

Attorney Sara Hossain said the defense will file its appeal next week challenging a ruling to try Nasrin in her absence on charges of insulting Islam and hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims.

The court was surrounded by police on guard against possible trouble from fanatical Muslims.

Nasrin has been living in Sweden since she fled Bangladesh on Aug. 10, a week after Bangladesh’s High Court granted her bail on charges lodged by police that she had insulted Muslim religious feelings.

The charges stem from an interview with India’s Statesman newspaper in which she was quoted as saying Islam’s holy book, the Koran, should be “revised thoroughly.”