Kabul - An Afghan man detained for converting to Christianity could face the death penalty if he refuses to become Muslim again, police and a judge said on Sunday.
Abdul Rahman was detained two weeks ago after his relatives reported to the police about his conversion which is forbidden under Islamic Sharia law.
"Yes that's true, a man has converted to Christianity. He's being tried in one of our courts," Supreme Court judge Ansarullah Mawlavizada said, adding that his trial began early last week.
He said the man could face the death penalty if he refused to revert to Islam as Sharia law proposes capital punishment for any Muslim who converts to another religion.
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'No law can be contrary to the sacred religion of Islam' Afghanistan's constitution states: "No law can be contrary to the sacred religion of Islam."
If sentenced, the man will be the first to be punished for conversion since the ouster of the Taliban who introduced and implemented tough Sharia law.
The hardline Taliban regime was toppled by a US-led invasion in late 2001 for not handing over Al-Qaeda chief, Osama bin Laden, wanted for the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. - Sapa-AFP
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