Islamabad , Pakistan ( CNN ) -- Supporters of an accused assassin of a Pakistani politician brought him Valentine 's flowers and cards Monday , the same day a judge charged him with murder and terrorism acts , his lawyer said . Pakistani police have said Mumtaz Hussain Qadri confessed to gunning down Salman Taseer , the governor of Punjab Province , outside an outdoor market in Islamabad last month . The suspect was serving as Taseer 's security guard at the time of the shooting . Police said Qadri shot Taseer because of the liberal politician 's campaign to amend Pakistan 's controversial blasphemy laws . The charges of murder and committing an act of terrorism each carry the possible death penalty in Pakistan . When the judge asked Qadri to enter a plea , he denied committing a crime , said Raja Shuja Ur Rehman , his lawyer . `` I acted against a blasphemer per the guidelines of the Quran and the teachings of the prophet Muhammad , '' Qadri told the judge , according to his lawyer . `` I did n't kill an innocent person . '' Pakistani authorities held Monday 's hearing inside the jail where Qadri is being kept for security reasons . Around 50 people stood outside the jail bearing flowers and Valentine 's wishes for the accused assassin , his lawyer said . It was n't clear whether jail officials delivered the flowers to Qadri . Since the shooting , Pakistan 's hard-line religious groups have congratulated Qadri and held demonstrations calling him a hero , while condemning anyone who tries to change Pakistan 's blasphemy laws . The next court date for Qadri is scheduled for February 26th when the prosecution is scheduled to present its evidence .
The suspect was serving as the politician 's security chief . Pakistani police : The suspect has confessed to the murder . Suspect ##ed he was ` ` against a blasphemer '' per police guidelines , according to his lawyer .