Conviction overturned in rape-order case

MULTAN -- A Pakistani court yesterday overturned the conviction of a village elder and four other men sentenced to death for allegedly ordering a woman gang-raped as punishment for her brother's illicit sex with a woman from another family, a defense lawyer said. The 2002 rape in a mud-brick house in central Pakistan made world headlines, and led the government to promise sweeping changes to end centuries of so-called ''honor" killings and attacks. Six men, including village council chief Faiz Mastoi, were later convicted and sentenced to death. But the court overturned the sentences yesterday, citing a lack of evidence. Mastoi and four others were ordered released and the sixth man's death sentence was reduced to life in prison, said Ramzan Joya, a lawyer for the woman. The woman was in court and wept at the decision. (AP)