A Sudanese court has sentenced a pregnant Christian woman to death for renouncing Islam, her lawyer told CNN Thursday.
Meriam Yehya Ibrahim, 27, is eight months pregnant and reportedly in police custody along with her 20-month-old son.
The mother was convicted by a Khartoum court this week of apostasy, or the renunciation of faith, and adultery. She received a sentence of 100 lashes for the adultery charge, CNN reported.
Ms. Ibrahim’s father was Muslim, but she was raised by her mother as a Christian, according to the rights group Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
So when Ms. Ibrahim married a Christian man, Daniel Wani, the courts considered the marriage void under Sharia law, since she is still considered a Muslim under her father. Mr. Wani reportedly obtained U.S. citizenship several years ago.
Foreign embassies in Khartoum, including the United States, are urging the Sudanese government to reverse the decision.
“We call upon the Government of Sudan to respect the right to freedom of religion, including one’s right to change one’s faith or beliefs, a right which is enshrined in international human rights law as well as in Sudan’s own 2005 Interim Constitution,” the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Netherlands said in a statement, CNN reported.
“We further urge Sudanese legal authorities to approach Ms. Ibrahim’s case with justice and compassion that is in keeping with the values of the Sudanese people,” it read.
The woman’s lawyer, Haram Othman, said they will appeal the verdict within 15 days.
The U.S. Embassy in Sudan reportedly asked Mr. Wani to provide a DNA test to prove he is the father of his son, who would have to meet U.S. requirements to receive citizenship.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.