World News: Christian convert freed in Afghanistan, officials say

Posted by admin on Apr 12, 2006 in News | 0 comments

KABUL – An Afghan man who had faced the death penalty for converting from Islam to Christianity has been released from prison after the case was dropped.

Police arrested Abdul Rahman last month after discovering he was carrying a Bible and placed him on trial last week for converting 16 years ago. Afghanistan’s Islamic laws require the death penalty for conversion to Christianity.

The announcement for his release came after the United Nations said Rahman appealed for asylum outside Afghanistan and that the world body was working to find a country willing to take him.

“We expect this will be provided by one of the countries interested in a peaceful solution to this case,” UN spokesman Adrian Edwards said.

On Monday, hundreds chanting “Death to Christians!” marched to protest the court’s decision to dismiss the case, demanding Rahman be killed according to the Islamic law and threatening to incite Afghans to kills Rahman if he is freed.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai was put in a difficult position due to the international outrage because he has offended religious sensibilities in Afghanistan.

However, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and others insist that Afghanistan protect personal beliefs.
Rahman’s proposed destination after release is not known.