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An Afghan appeals court has quashed death sentences imposed on four men for their part in the mob killing of a young woman in Kabul in March, BBC reports.

The woman, Farkhunda, was attacked at an Islamic shrine after being falsely accused of burning a copy of the Koran. She was stoned to death, her body was run over by a car and set on fire.

The court also acquitted the keeper of the shrine. Women's rights activists have expressed outrage at the decision, which was taken in a secret hearing.

Eight people, including policemen, were given jail terms and four sentenced to death in connection with the killing.

But the appeals court decision acquits Omran, the keeper of the shrine, who was the one to incite the mob to kill Farkhunda after she had argued with him.

The decision has led to widespread condemnation with one activist, Wasjima Frogh, telling the BBC's David Loyn in Kabul that the whole trial had been an example of injustice.

It showed that it was not only the Taliban but the whole Afghan system that oppressed women, she said.