Afghans protest at Christian's death sentence delay
Associated Press
Guardian Unlimited, UK
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Kabul (Afghanistan):
Hundreds of Afghans demonstrated today against a court's decision to delay a controversial case against a Christian convert facing the death penalty for refusing to renounce his faith.About 700 people, including some Muslim clerics, gathered in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif and chanted "Death to Bush" as well as other anti-Western slogans. Security forces surrounded the demonstrators but did not intervene.
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See Also:
Conversion a thorny issue in Muslim world
Afghan court dismisses case against convert to Christianity
Afghan Case Dropped but Not Closed
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The Afghan government has sought a way to end the prosecution of Abdul Rahman, 41, who converted to Christianity in Pakistan 16 years ago.Yesterday a supreme court spokesman said the case was being reviewed because of "problems with the prosecutor's evidence".
The case will be sent back to prosecutors, while the attorney general will examine whether Rahman is "mentally fit to stand trial", he added.Rahman could be freed, possibly today, pending the review of his case, another court official told the Associated Press.
Rahman, who begged his jailers for a bible, insists he is of sound mind and willing to die for his faith. "I am serene and have full awareness ... If I must die, I will die," he told the Italian daily La Repubblica, which asked questions through a human rights worker.
Mar 27, 2006
Associated Press
Guardian Unlimited, UK
_________________
Kabul (Afghanistan):
Hundreds of Afghans demonstrated today against a court's decision to delay a controversial case against a Christian convert facing the death penalty for refusing to renounce his faith.About 700 people, including some Muslim clerics, gathered in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif and chanted "Death to Bush" as well as other anti-Western slogans. Security forces surrounded the demonstrators but did not intervene.
__________________
See Also:
Conversion a thorny issue in Muslim world
Afghan court dismisses case against convert to Christianity
Afghan Case Dropped but Not Closed
__________________
The Afghan government has sought a way to end the prosecution of Abdul Rahman, 41, who converted to Christianity in Pakistan 16 years ago.Yesterday a supreme court spokesman said the case was being reviewed because of "problems with the prosecutor's evidence".
The case will be sent back to prosecutors, while the attorney general will examine whether Rahman is "mentally fit to stand trial", he added.Rahman could be freed, possibly today, pending the review of his case, another court official told the Associated Press.
Rahman, who begged his jailers for a bible, insists he is of sound mind and willing to die for his faith. "I am serene and have full awareness ... If I must die, I will die," he told the Italian daily La Repubblica, which asked questions through a human rights worker.
Mar 27, 2006
