Farkhunda burial 'a first for Afghan women'

A campaigner for gender equality in Afghanistan has spoken to the BBC about her involvement in the funeral of Farkhunda Malikzada - the Afghan woman killed by a mob who wrongly accused her of burning the Koran.

Sahra Mosawi told BBC reporter Zarghuna Kargar that the use of female pall-bearers at the funeral of Farkhunda was the first event of its kind in Afghan history.

"My friends and I promised each other we wouldn't let any man touch the coffin," she said. "They'd come forward and we said 'don't touch it! Where were you that day when 150 men attacked Farkhunda?'"

Farkhunda was attacked by a crowd at an Islamic shrine in the Afghan capital, Kabul in March.

She was stoned to death, her body was run over by a car and set on fire.

Eight men were later jailed for the attack, and four others received death sentences.

Eleven policemen were sentenced to one year in prison for failing to protect Ms Malikzada, a devout Islamic student.

Eight other police officers were acquitted.

An appeal court subsequently quashed the death sentences, commuting them to prison terms.

The 11 police officers were released pending a final appeal.

Watch The Killing of Farkhunda on Saturday 8 August and Sunday 9 August on Our World on BBC World News and on BBC News Channel on Saturday 8 August and Sunday 9 August at 21.30 BST.