[Proctor]

"We look forward, hopefully, to a resolution of this in the very near future," Rice said, without elaborating.

Although she asked for what her spokesman called a "favorable resolution," Rice evidently did not demand specifically that the trial be halted and the defendant released.

"This is clearly an Afghan decision," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. "They are a sovereign country."

[inkling]

If this Afghan Christian is killed, all Christians currently building and securing their country should be recalled immediately.

[Proctor]

Disgusting.

I risk my life to bring you http://www.historyofjihad.org & http://www.islamcomicbook.com/

[gotribe]

Then bow to our 2000 pound bombs you mf.

[Decepticon]

"This is clearly an Afghan decision," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. "They are a sovereign country."

What I find amazing about this is that it's suddenly news. These type situations have been going on for YEARS, anyone that has been/lived in these craphole islam countries knows this....we're talking about people that rub sticks together to make fire....why is this suddenly a surprise to the MSM, other than to embarrass President Bush?

[coconutt2000]

There are two possibilities. This could be a test case where Sharia law will be tested. If the case is dismissed it would be a huge step forward for Afghanistan. The problem is that if carried forward it will be a few steps backward to 5 years ago.

The second possibility is that this is a power squabble between the courts and the rest of the government. Technically, according to the Afghan constitution this particular application of Sharia law is unconstitutional. To what degree does the executive/legislative branch of the Afghan government have the power to intervene in a judicial matter where the court is inappropriately interpreting the constitution.

The only way to sidestep this would be for a pardon, but that would change absolutely nothing in regards the precedents and primacy of the conflicting legal theories (and I use that word loosely) incorporated into the Afghan constitution. From an intellectual point of view this is an interesting case, but from a more human point of view I'm appalled at the risk involved. Perhaps Karzai will wait to see the outcome of the trial and if the man is convicted and sentenced he will issue a pardon, and have the government start action on amending the constitution.

[Publius6961]

Mawlavizada said that the "judiciary will act independently and neutrally" and said that the court's will follow the country's constitution [text], but stressed that Afghanistan [JURIST news archive] is an Islamic country.

A stupid allowance by your betters, and a serious error that I hope the next visit by American troops will not repeat...
And here's hoping that we can have a president someday who will have the cojones to say, "you have 10 minutes to reconsider that stupid statment". What's the value of power if you allow dumber than rocks idiots to exercise that kind of arrogance?

[RightWhale]

So, what do the anti-capital-punishment crowd think about this?

[Blackirish]

They won't go through with it......

[muawiyah]

Seems to me President Karzai is going to have to shoot Judge Ansarullah Mawlavizada himself now that the old bird has declined to commit suicide.

Starting a pool: My guess is no later than Noon tomorrow, Kabul time.

[ncountylee]

Why is he facing any charges?

[edcoil]

If so, we go.

[observer5]

I like it...

American tax dollars at work in Afganistan... job well done!

Another "liberatated" country!

WTF!!!!!

[observer5]

"This is clearly an Afghan decision," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. "They are a sovereign country."

So when Saddam ran the show it wasn't?

What a bunch of BS!

W is squandering everything!!!

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

What became of the President's "religion of peace" mantra?

What kind of "religion of peace" executes those who choose another religion?

This situation gives the lie to the entire "religion of peace" argument. This is another example of an Islamic nation's government using Islam to authorize the murder of non-Muslims.

I wish non-Muslims like George W. Bush would stop apologizing for the barbarism of barbarians.

This is a global war against barbarians who define their murderous intolerance by pointing to their own violence-based scriptures.

Islam is a dangerous and violent religion incompatible with the civilized world.

[madconserv]

"Religion of peace" my royal arse. Peace found only through the death of all Infidels. I've heard over and over again about how there are moderate muslims and radical muslims. This case proves that theory bogus. If this is their law then they are all radical! My suspicion's about the religion of peace have now been confirmed. Sad. Pathetic, I don't want to hear it anymore.

[Birmingham Rain]

I have to applaud this man and give him the credit he deserves for standing up for his faith in the face of enemies all around. And giving all he has for it.

I imagine it must rub them the wrong way that he doesn't strap on a bomb to do it.

May God keep him.

[tutstar]

A sovereign country whose butt was hauled out of a sling by the good ole USA.

What are thinking? The New & Improved Taliban?

[freepatriot32]

Libertarian ping.To be added or removed from my ping list freepmail me or post a message here

[Tarpon]

It's beginning to look like the orangutans are going to show the world they really are.

[jmc813]

We need to pull the hell out of Afghanistan TODAY.