abdul rahman arrives in italy (ny times)

KABUL, Afghanistan, March 29 — The Christian convert who had faced a death penalty in Afghanistan for abandoning Islam has left the country and arrived in Italy, where he is being offered the protection of the government.

Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi of Italy told reporters in Rome: "He asked for asylum and it's been granted. He's already in Italy. I think he arrived during the night."
. . . .

Just hours before his departure from Afghanistan was reported the Afghan Parliament was insisting that he not be allowed to leave the country.

The Parliament views the release of the Mr. Rahman, 41, as being contrary to the "dominant laws" of the country, parliamentarians said today.

Read the whole thing here. The sickness is indeed deep, but praise God that Rahman has been given asylum.