Christian convert Facing Execution

[pond]

Afghan Christian Convert Facing Execution

BERLIN (AP) - A top Afghan official rejected criticism in Germany of the trial of a man accused of converting from Islam to Christianity, according to an interview published Wednesday, and said a death sentence in the case is unlikely.

Abdul Rahman, 41, went on trial last week in Kabul. He was arrested last month after his family accused him of becoming a Christian. The conversion is a crime under Afghanistan's Islamic laws, and a death sentence is possible.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has said he views the case with ``great concern.'' A senior opposition politician, Rainer Bruederle, told the Bild daily Wednesday that ``if Afghanistan does not quickly modernize its legal system, Germany must think over its help for Afghanistan.''

Afghan Economy Minister Amin Farhang was quoted as telling the Neue Osnabruecker Zeitung daily that the ``heated and emotional reaction of German politicians is exaggerated and has caused annoyance among Afghans.''

Farhang also said that although ``fanatics demand the death penalty in such cases,'' it is unlikely the sentence will be imposed on Rahman, according to the newspaper.

The Bush administration issued a subdued appeal Tuesday to Afghanistan to permit Rahman to practice his faith in the predominantly Muslim country. The State Department, however, did not urge the U.S. ally in the war against terrorism to terminate the trial. Officials said the Bush administration did not want to interfere with Afghanistan's sovereignty.

The trial is believed to be the first of its kind in Afghanistan and highlights a struggle between religious conservatives and reformists over what shape Islam should take there four years after the ouster of the fundamentalist Taliban regime.

Germany has some 2,000 troops in the NATO security force in Afghanistan and also has helped rebuild the country's police. The United States has more than 18,000 troops in the country.

03/22/06 03:16

© Copyright The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained In this news report may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

This may be moved to the political forum if needed .

Some facts are Afghanistans sovereignty, so Bush says he doesnt want to interfere.

hello???

WE have 18,000 troops in the country.

the guys family is asking for the trial.

In america we only think we are persecuted imo...

[markomalley]

Already posted in 'tacks...