Release Meriam Yehya Ibrahim

Release Meriam Yehya Ibrahim

A Sudanese woman doctor who married a Christian man and who was convicted earlier this week on charges of “apostasy” was sentenced to death on Thursday, judicial officials said

According to the Sudanese officials, 27-year-old Meriam Ibrahim, whose father was Muslim, was convicted on Sunday and given four days to repent and escape death. She was sentenced after that grace period expired, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.

Meriam Yehya Ibrahim (27) was convicted on charges of apostasy, or the abandonment of religion, by a court in Khartoum.

Following her conviction on Sunday, she was given three days to recant her faith. "We gave you three days to recant but you insist on not returning to Islam. I sentence you to be hanged," Judge Abbas Mohammed Al-Khalifa told the woman.

Mrs Ibrahim also faces a sentence of 100 lashes for adultery on the grounds that her marriage to a Christian man from South Sudan is considered void under Sharia law.

She was brought up as a Christian by her mother. However, because her father was Muslim, she was considered by the court to be the same.

Amnesty International says that Ibrahim is eight months pregnant and in detention with her 20-month-old son.

"Adultery and apostasy are acts which should not be considered crimes at all, let alone meet the international standard of most serious crimes in relation to the death penalty. It is flagrant breach of international human rights law," the group said.