Meriam Ibrahim 'Freed' From Prison

Monday, June 23, 2014

KHARTOUM, SUDAN (Worthy News)-- Meriam Yahia Ibrahim, along with her 22-month-old son and 4-week-old daughter, have been released from the Omdurman Federal Women's Prison by the Khartoum Court of Appeals, according to International Christian Concern.

Ibrahim, a 27-year-old doctor and wife to American citizen Daniel Wani, was sentenced to 100 lashes for adultery and death by hanging for apostasy on May 15.

According to state media, the Court of Appeals ordered Ibrahim and her children released and that all charges filed against her be dropped.

Thabit Elzubir, a member of Ibrahim's legal defense, told ICC that Ibrahim, her children and husband have returned safely to their home in Khartoum.

For 126 days, Meriam and her son suffered arbitrary detention for their Christian faith, said ICC's Regional Manager for Africa, Cameron Thomas. But though that has ended, the fight for religious freedom and human rights in Sudan has not.

"The government of Sudan still needs to be held accountable for the gross violation of Meriam's and her children's rights. No mother should be forced to birth in shackles, and no father should be barred from witnessing his daughter's birth for practicing their faith. Furthermore, the matter of the Ibrahims' future needs to be settled. It's our job now to ensure the United States and international community provide the next steps necessary to ensure the Ibrahims' long-term safety."