Meriam arrives in Italy

 ROME – The nightmare is over for the 26-year-old Sudanese Meriam Yeya Ibrahim who was sentenced to death for apostasy in May.

 Meriam, her husband, and their two children, including Maya, who was born two months ago in a Sudan jail, arrived at Ciampino airport Thursday morning and were greeted by Matteo Renzi, his wife Agnese and the minister for foreign affairs, Federica Mogherini.

  “Today is a day for celebration” exclaimed the Italian Prime Minister. Mr Renzi highlighted the extraordinary efforts made by Lapo Pistelli, the deputy minister for foreign affairs, to resolve the situation. Mr. Pistelli accompanied her on the flight from Khartoum and posted a photo of himself with Meriam and her children on Facebook as they landed in Rome. The caption read; “Mission accomplished.”

 Ms Ibrahim was convicted of apostasy in May while she was pregnant, for marrying her Christian boyfriend Daniel Wani. According to Sudan state laws, the conversion of Muslims to other religions is a crime punishable by death. The 26 year-old was arrested and locked in prison along with her 20-month-old son. The sentence shocked the entire world, triggering a series of international initiatives to ensure her release.

 During Meriam’s first hearing, when she was eight months pregnant with her second child, the judge referred to the defendant with her Arab name, Adraf Al-Hadi Mohammed Abdullah, asking her to repent and convert back to Islam. Meriam replied, “I am Christian and I have not committed apostasy.” With this response, she was sentenced to execution by hanging.

 A few weeks later, in a Khartoum jail cell, Meriam gave birth to a baby girl in incredibly harsh prison conditions, which are said to have left her daughter disabled. “She was shackled while in labor,” said her husband who was obviously worried about the welfare of his newborn baby. The extent of Maya's injuries will become clearer as she starts to grow.

 On June 23 the Sudanese court decided to release Meriam after revoking her death sentence. She was given South Sudanese travel documents but was barred from leaving Sudan until the following day. After Meriam was released she left the country for Italy on Thursday. Meriam is said to stay in Italy for a couple of days before heading off to New York.