KABUL - President Hamid Karzai on Saturday promised he would sign off death sentence for the men accused of gang-rapping four women in the Paghman district of central Kabul province soon after the Supreme Court handed down its verdict in the case.

“ I am strongly against sending someone to the gallows and have always objected to such punishments under every circumstances, but I called for the capital punishment to them (rapists) and I urge the chief justice to sentence them to death,” Karzai told a group of women, who called on him at the Presidential Palace.

The alleged incident took place about two weeks ago in Paghman, a town west of Kabul City and a 10-member gang has been accused of looting passengers and raping four women on the main road in the area during night time.

Seven of the group have been arrested and the Attorney General’s Office said on Saturday that it had submitted the dossiers of the detainees and had sought capital punishment for them.

“We have been seriously following the issue of robberies and crimes in Paghman and the gang that disrespected women,” Karzai said.

The gang rape incident has sent widespread anger among the Afghans and calls have been made for public execution of those involved. (Pajhwok)