Abdul Rahman, crazy mental illness might save him (Updated: Denmark's response)

Afghans say if Abdul Rahman is 'mentally unstable' he cannot be tried. At this time, this may be Rahman's only hope. But it is certainly no answer to the real problem, Shariah Law that would murder anyone who turns his back on Islam. What about the next Christian, or Jew or Buddhist that comes along? If Mr. Rahman is allowed to live, the problem will not go away without pressure from the free world.

With Afghan citizens this is the sentiment: "For 30 years, we have fought religious wars in this country and there is no way we are going to allow an Afghan to insult us by becoming Christian," said Mohammed Jan, 38, who lives opposite Rahman's father, Abdul Manan. "This has brought so much shame." source

Moayuddin Baluch, a religious adviser to President Hamid Karzai, said Rahman would undergo a psychological examination.

"Doctors must examine him," he said. "If he is mentally unfit, definitely Islam has no claim to punish him. He must be forgiven. The case must be dropped."

Exactly what does this mean? Is he being considered 'mentally unfit' because he converted to Christianity from Islam? This would be a very disturbing precedent to set.

A Western diplomat in Kabul and a human rights advocate — both of whom spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter — said the government was desperately searching for a way to drop the case because of the reaction it has caused.

As far as we know he has no lawyer, he has not been allowed interviews by press or humanitarian groups. President Bush apparently issued an appeal to Kabul for Rahman 'to be allowed to practice his faith'. I do not have the text of the appeal but I hope is was stern. Germany and Italy have promised to pull their troops out of Afghanistan if Rahman is executed.

Comments by the prosecutor and others in Afghanistan:

"He is known as a microbe in society, and he should be cut off and removed from the rest of Muslim society and should be killed."

"If he doesn't regret his conversion, the punishment will be enforced on him. And the punishment is death."

"We will cut him into little pieces," source

UPDATE: From Noisy Room and Agora

Danish politicians have shown a remarkable amount of backbone in the case of Abdul Rahman who is on trial in Afghanistan for having converted from Islam to Christianity. Naser Khader of the Social Liberals and Søren Espersen of the Danish People’s Party suggest military action to free Abdul Rahman may be in order.

Foreign Minister Per Stig Møller, Conservatives, Berlingske, March 22:

“We are working full steam to shed some light on this case, a case which we find very serious. No formal indictment has been filed yet. Our representatives to Afghanistan are examining the matter together with the EU and the UN and the accused has also been contacted by international agencies.” […] “This in no way corresponds with Afghanistan’s constitution which says tthat the Afghans have Freedom of Religion.”

Spokesman on Foreign Issues, Naser Khader, Social Liberals, Jyllands-Posten, March 21:

The government must act on this matter and show that Denmark is at the forefront in the fight for Human Rights and international rule of law. That is why we are in Afghanistan. If necessary, the Danish forces in country must liberate Abdul Rahman and offer him asylum in Denmark. This case underlines the need for Sharia law to be fought wherever it is found.”

Spokesman on Foreign Issues, Søren Espersen, Danish People’s Party, Jyllands-Posten, March 21:

“I don’t give a damn what laws they think they have. We are sort of an authority in Afghanistan and the President must prevent an execution, or we’ll give it to him good. If the Americans, the British and the Danes weren’t there, President Hamid Karzai would be butcher’s meat in the roadside before long. He knows the stakes and he better do what the Allies say in this matter.”

Spokesman on Foreign Issues, Søren Espersen, Danish People’s Party, Politiken, March 21:

“It’s time for Denmark, the United States and Great Britain to apply the thumbs screws to the Afghan government. We are the ones calling the shots in that country and this case displays a complete disregard for all decency - to execute a man for converting. We just will not accept that and we’re gonna tell the Afghan government that”

Spokesman on Foreign Issues, Mogens Lykketoft, Social Liberals, Politiken, March 21:

“[this case must] lead to some very, very direct reactions from all countries who are aiding Afghanistan”