US asylum urged for condemned Sudanese Christian

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congressman Frank Wolf says the U.S. should offer political asylum to a pregnant Sudanese woman who was sentenced to death after refusing to renounce her Christian faith.

Meriam Ibrahim, the daughter of a Muslim father and Christian mother, was convicted of apostasy last week in Sudan.

Wolf says the 27-year-old Ibrahim, who is eight months pregnant, faces execution by hanging after she gives birth. In a House floor speech, the Virginia Republican said time is running out, and “President Obama should immediately appeal for her release and offer safe haven.”

Wolf noted that Ibrahim’s husband is an American citizen and the couple’s 18-month-old son is currently jailed with her.

The U.S. State Department says it’s “deeply disturbed” by the sentence and has called on Sudan to respect freedom of religion.

Sound:

%@AP Links

249-a-10-(Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., in remarks)-“clock is ticking”-Virginia Congressman Frank Wolf says time is running out for a Sudanese woman who faces execution after refusing to renounce her Christian faith. (20 May 2014)

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250-a-12-(Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., in remarks)-“the United States”-Virginia Congressman Frank Wolf says the U.S. should offer political asylum to Meriam Ibrahim. (20 May 2014)

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248-a-17-(Rep. Frank Wolf, R-Va., in remarks)-“jail with her”-Virginia Congressman Frank Wolf says an American’s wife may soon be executed for apostasy in Sudan. (20 May 2014)

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