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Sudan husband's hope for wife's death sentence appeal | Sudan husband's hope for wife's death sentence appeal |
(4 months later) | |
The husband of a woman facing the death penalty in Sudan for abandoning her religious faith has told the BBC he is hopeful an appeal against the sentence for apostasy will be successful. | The husband of a woman facing the death penalty in Sudan for abandoning her religious faith has told the BBC he is hopeful an appeal against the sentence for apostasy will be successful. |
Daniel Wani said Meriam Ibrahim was well when he saw her on Wednesday a day after she gave birth in prison. | Daniel Wani said Meriam Ibrahim was well when he saw her on Wednesday a day after she gave birth in prison. |
According to Islamic law, she can nurse her baby daughter for two years before the sentence is carried out. | According to Islamic law, she can nurse her baby daughter for two years before the sentence is carried out. |
Born to a Muslim father, she married Mr Wani, a Christian, in 2011. | Born to a Muslim father, she married Mr Wani, a Christian, in 2011. |
Sudan has a majority Muslim population. Islamic law has been in force there since the 1980s. | Sudan has a majority Muslim population. Islamic law has been in force there since the 1980s. |
Even though Meriam Yehya Ibrahim Ishag, 27, was brought up as an Orthodox Christian, the authorities consider her to be a Muslim. | Even though Meriam Yehya Ibrahim Ishag, 27, was brought up as an Orthodox Christian, the authorities consider her to be a Muslim. |
At her trial earlier in May in the capital, Khartoum, the judge also sentenced her to 100 lashes for adultery because her marriage to a Christian man was not valid under Islamic law. | At her trial earlier in May in the capital, Khartoum, the judge also sentenced her to 100 lashes for adultery because her marriage to a Christian man was not valid under Islamic law. |
'Love story' | 'Love story' |
Mr Wani, who is a US citizen, said he was delighted to see his new daughter - and mother and baby were both doing well. | Mr Wani, who is a US citizen, said he was delighted to see his new daughter - and mother and baby were both doing well. |
"It's very incredible. I'm so happy," he told the BBC's Newsday programme. | "It's very incredible. I'm so happy," he told the BBC's Newsday programme. |
But he said he was most concerned about his 20-month-old son who has been living with his mother in prison since February. | But he said he was most concerned about his 20-month-old son who has been living with his mother in prison since February. |
The judge ruled that Mr Wani was not allowed custody of the boy as the marriage was not valid. | The judge ruled that Mr Wani was not allowed custody of the boy as the marriage was not valid. |
"His attitude has changed a lot," Mr Wani said of his son. | "His attitude has changed a lot," Mr Wani said of his son. |
"He used to be a happy boy. When I went there, he just looked at me. No smile," he said. | "He used to be a happy boy. When I went there, he just looked at me. No smile," he said. |
"Sometimes really he is in a bad mood. Every time when I went there, he just wants to come home with me." | "Sometimes really he is in a bad mood. Every time when I went there, he just wants to come home with me." |
Born in South Sudan before it became independent from Sudan, Mr Wani went to the US in 1998 at the height of the civil war, | Born in South Sudan before it became independent from Sudan, Mr Wani went to the US in 1998 at the height of the civil war, |
He met Ms Ibrahim in 2011 on a visit to Sudan and they were married at the main church in Khartoum. | He met Ms Ibrahim in 2011 on a visit to Sudan and they were married at the main church in Khartoum. |
"There is a love story between them," their lawyer Elshareef Ali told the BBC. | "There is a love story between them," their lawyer Elshareef Ali told the BBC. |
Mr Wani, who is in a wheelchair, said he was angry about his wife's imprisonment. | Mr Wani, who is in a wheelchair, said he was angry about his wife's imprisonment. |
She had to give birth with heavy chains on her legs, although when he saw her in the office of the prison, her shackles were removed, he said. | She had to give birth with heavy chains on her legs, although when he saw her in the office of the prison, her shackles were removed, he said. |
Ms Ibrahim was raised as an Orthodox Christian, her mother's religion, because her father, a Muslim, was reportedly absent during her childhood. | Ms Ibrahim was raised as an Orthodox Christian, her mother's religion, because her father, a Muslim, was reportedly absent during her childhood. |
Mr Wani said it was his wife's right to choose her own religion. | Mr Wani said it was his wife's right to choose her own religion. |
"She grew up... with her mother, went to the church and I don't think that means that she converted from Islam to Christianity." | "She grew up... with her mother, went to the church and I don't think that means that she converted from Islam to Christianity." |
According to their lawyer, Mr Wani and his wife were first arrested in September 2013 for adultery - and were allowed out on bail. | According to their lawyer, Mr Wani and his wife were first arrested in September 2013 for adultery - and were allowed out on bail. |
The court added the charge of apostasy in February 2014 when Ms Ibrahim said she was a Christian. She was then taken into custody. | The court added the charge of apostasy in February 2014 when Ms Ibrahim said she was a Christian. She was then taken into custody. |
There has been international condemnation of the death sentence. | There has been international condemnation of the death sentence. |
Correspondents say people are rarely executed for adultery in Sudan. | |
The sentence of 100 lashes for adultery will reportedly be carried out when she has recovered from giving birth. | The sentence of 100 lashes for adultery will reportedly be carried out when she has recovered from giving birth. |
Correction 19 September 2014: This story has been amended to clarify that it is only for adultery, that death sentences are rarely carried out. |