The High Court here will hear on Feb 22 a preliminary objection by the Malaysian government and three others against a habeas corpus application filed by Saudi Arabian columnist, Hamza Kashgari Mohamad Najeeb, who is alleged to have insulted Islam and Prophet Muhammad.

NONEJudge Rohana Yusuf fixed the date in chambers after meeting Kashgari's lawyer, Fadiah Nadwa Fikri (right), and senior federal counsel Amir Nasruddin and Mohd Zain Ibrahim, who represented the respondents.

In the application filed yesterday, Kashgari, 23, named the inspector-general of police, Malaysian Immigration director-general, home minister and the Malaysian government as respondents.

Fadiah, when met by reporters, said the respondents were also ordered to file their affidavits-in-reply by next Wednesday.

In the notice of motion, Kashgari, among others, is seeking a writ of habeas corpus for an order for him to be brought before the court to be charged.

Kashgari declared an apostate

On Feb 4, Kashgari was alleged to have posted a series of tweets in conjunction with Prophet Muhammad's birthday, but they were deleted the following day from his Twitter account.

Following the alleged action, the Saudi Arabian authorities issued a warrant of arrest for Kashgari on Feb 8 for allegedly insulting the Prophet, an offence which carries the death sentence in the kingdom, if found guilty.

Kashgari was also declared an apostate by the Saudi Arabian religious authority.

He was arrested on Feb 9 at the KL International Airport and was deported to Saudi Arabia two days ago.

- Bernama