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Sudanese Officials Retract Claims that Meriam Ibrahim to Be Released

  • Russ Jones Religious persecution, missions, Christianity around the world
  • Updated Jun 02, 2014

Sudanese authorities are retracting reports that a Christian woman who denied the Muslim faith would be released from prison for two years. Meriam Ibrahim was sentenced to receive 100 lashes and death by hanging following the birth of her baby while in custody. 

Ibrahim gave birth to a daughter May 27 in the prison’s hospital wing.

According to The Guardian Abdullah Alazreg, an under-secretary at the foreign ministry said on Saturday Ibrahim "will be freed within days in line with legal procedure that will be taken by the judiciary and the ministry of justice.”

In a statement released by the ministry, however, officials claim Alazreg’s comment was taken out of context and "that the defense team of the concerned citizen has appealed the verdict... and if the appeals court rules in her favor, she will be released.”

Ibrahim was arrested and detained by Sudan's Public Order Police on February 17. She was subsequently charged with adultery and apostasy on March 4 and was convicted of both charges on May 11 according to Islam’s Sharia Law. 

After her conviction, Ibrahim was given three days to publicly recant her Christian faith or face sentencing. On May 15, Ibrahim refused to recant her faith and was sentenced to 100 lashes and death by Judge Abbas al-Khaleefa after stating before the court, "I am a Christian, and I will remain a Christian."

Publication date: June 2, 2014