Posted on 04/01/2006 3:32:08 AM PST by anonymoussierra
An Afghan man who could have faced the death penalty for becoming a Christian has said he would probably have been killed had he remained in Afghanistan. Speaking to journalists in Italy, where he has been given asylum, Abdul Rahman, 41, thanked Pope Benedict XVI for leading the campaign to have him freed.
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He said he never wanted to return to Afghanistan and was concerned for the safety of his family there.
Afghan MPs have condemned his release and said he should have not have left.
Mr Rahman was freed on Monday after being deemed mentally unfit to stand trial on a charge of apostasy.
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Conversion, or apostasy, is a crime under Afghanistan's Islamic law.
Mr Rahman spoke to journalists soon after Italy formally granted him asylum on the grounds of religious persecution.
"In Kabul they would have killed me, I'm sure of it," he said.
"If you are not a Muslim in an Islamic country like mine they kill you, there are no doubts."
He said he was "happy" to be in Italy and thanked the pope for "having acted on my behalf".
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Afghanistan
Mr Rahman is now under protection at a secret location in Italy, the interior ministry has said.
There had been an international outcry at the prospect of the Christian convert being executed for his religious beliefs.
The Pope wrote to Afghan President Hamid Karzai last week, saying that dropping the case "would bestow great honour upon the Afghan people and would raise a chorus of admiration in the international community".
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Denounced by relatives
Politicians in Afghanistan opposed Mr Rahman's release from trial as "contrary to the laws in place in Afghanistan", and condemned Western "interference" on his behalf.
The case has highlighted ambiguities in Afghanistan's constitution over the interpretation of religious issues.
Mr Rahman, who converted 16 years ago while working as an aid worker for an international Christian group, was arrested after police discovered him with a Bible.
An ethnic Tajik originally from the Panjshir Valley, north of Kabul, Mr Rahman returned to Afghanistan a few years ago.
It is thought that he was denounced by relatives after returning to seek custody of his two daughters.
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Infore history is forgotten of tribes of Ishmael. We will kill each of you; you really don't get it, eto not by sword we will like Saint Peter, walk infore of Roma, love of love, yes love. Greatest empire was removed of love of Cross. Laugh, wisdom is later and you will know." ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ "understand you will not win!!!!"
NO
They'd have to reject Islam first...which, of course, would cause them to no longer be muslims.
Peace is not possible with Islam. It was designed to ensure that we fight the war to end all wars.
The ROP, however, is the benchmark of sanity. (!)
I guess they expect this man, with a HUGE target painted on his back, to just hang around and wait.
Mr Rahman was freed on Monday after being deemed mentally unfit to stand trial on a charge of apostasy.
His leaving proves he is anything but unfit to stand trial.
The juxtaposition of these two statements really underlines the mental distortion necessary to believe Islam and follow Sharia.
Very, very glad he got out. Best wishes for a happy future to this courageous man.
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