Afghan Christian Convert Arrives in Italy

|TOP|The Afghan Christian convert who faced execution for his conversion from Islam to Christianity has arrived in Italy after being granted asylum by the country’s government.

The case of Abdul Rahman stirred up international protest when he was imprisoned earlier in the month by Afghanistan’s authorities for converting to Christianity, punishable by death under Islamic Sharia law.

International pressure from Western states, particularly those whose troops helped see in the new Afghan government, led to the release of Rahman on Tuesday.

Fears for Rahman’s life arose when the Afghan parliament condemned his release and said he should not be allowed to leave the country.

|AD|Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi confirmed that the forty-year-old had arrived in Italy after he was granted asylum, reports Reuters.

"He is already here. He has asked for political asylum and is currently being looked after by the interior ministry," Berlusconi told a news conference in Rome.

Earlier in the month, as the controversial court case continued over Rahman’s conversion to Christianity, Berlusconi commended the convert for his “great courage” and said that Italy would offer him asylum. The exact whereabouts of Rahman are being kept secret.

Rahman’s court case met with outcry in Western, particularly Italy, Germany, the United States and Canada.

Pope Benedict XVI also appealed for clemency to be granted to the convert and expressed his solidarity with all persecuted Christians around the world.

President Hamid Karzai is expected to face anger at home as religious conservatives in Afghanistan remain indignant over the decision to release Rahman.

Rahman converted to Christianity while working for an aid group helping Afghan refugees in Pakistan 15 years ago.