Paul KeenanDeath sentence woman gives birth
The lawyer for imprisoned Sudanese Christian Meriam Ishag has lodged an appeal against her death sentence.
Mohammed Jar Elnabi announced plans to mount a defence against the sentence imposed on Mrs Ishag for her alleged apostasy from Islam despite death threats to him from militant elements for obstructing the execution.
Mrs Ishag remains in a prison near Khartoum with her two young children, and will be kept in custody until she nurses her second child, born this week. Following this, in accordance with the court’s ruling, she will receive 100 lashes and then be executed both for abandoning Islam and committing adultery by marrying a Christian man. Her husband revealed on May 19, following a visit to the prison, that his wife is shackled in her cell, despite her delivery this week.
Speaking of the case last weekend, Mr Elnabi said: “[Meriam] is very strong and very firm. She is very clear that she is a Christian and that she will get out one day.” On the threat to his own life, he added: “I could never leave the case. This is a matter of belief and principles. I must help someone who is in need, even if it will cost me my life.”
In addition to the nations which have expressed concern at the Ishag case, the United Nations has now called for the woman’s immediate release, describing the case as “an outrageous conviction”.