Afghan president intervenes in case of Christian convert Saturday March 25, 12:08 PM

Afghan president intervenes in case of Christian convert Saturday March 25, 12:08 PM
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KABUL (AFP) - President Hamid Karzai has personally intervened in the case of an Afghan man facing execution for converting to Christianity, a top official said, amid fierce criticism in the West.

Karzai was consulting with various government organisations to resolve the matter as soon as possible, the senior government official said on condition of anonymity.

"The president is personally working to resolve it peacefully. There is a way out of it," he said. "I believe it'll take one or two days."

Rahman was arrested under Islamic Sharia law about two weeks ago after his parents went to the authorities, reportedly following a family dispute.

Sharia law, on which the Afghan constitution is partly based, rules that a Muslim who converts from Islam should be put to death.

Another senior official said late Friday that the convert, 41-year-old Abdul Rahman, was likely to be released from jail soon. He said the matter would be discussed at a top-level meeting Saturday.

However the Supreme Court judge handling the case, Ansarullah Mawlawizada, insisted Saturday the court would act independently.

"We have nothing to do with diplomatic issues," he told AFP when asked about the international outcry. "We'll do our job independently."

Asked if this meant Rahman would be sentenced to death as Sharia law requires, he said: "It's too early to predict."

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Isn't is heartwarming to see how we have changed attitudes and influenced the people of Afghan-land. I feel all warm and fuzzy now! No wait the warm and fuzzies came over me because I'm sipping a 12 year old single malt!