WASHINGTON (AP) — Members of Congress want to know why the Sudanese Christian woman whose death sentence for apostasy was overturned remains stuck in Sudan.
A House hearing Wednesday will focus on the plight of 27-year-old Meriam Ibrahim, who was released from prison with her children last month after giving birth in shackles.
Ibrahim, whose father was Muslim, was convicted of apostasy for marrying a Christian. She insists she was never a Muslim, but was raised as a Christian from the beginning.
When Ibrahim, her husband and children tried to leave Sudan after her release, they were stopped and held for questioning. Her husband, Daniel Wani, who holds American citizenship, said Sudanese authorities accused his wife of forging her travel documents — a charge he denies.
In recent weeks, the family has found refuge inside the U.S. embassy in Khartoum, where they await what they hope will be permission to fly to the United States.
But New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith, who will chair tomorrow’s hearing, says there are renewed efforts in Sudan to return Ibrahim to prison.
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