Itália concede asilo a Abdul Rahman

Afghan Christian Granted Asylum in Italy###

KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghanistan's parliament demanded Wednesday that the government prevent a man who faced the death penalty for abandoning Islam for Christianity from being able to flee the country. Italy granted asylum to Abdul Rahman, 41, and the Foreign Ministry said he would arrive there "soon," maybe within the day.

Rahman was released from prison Monday after a court dropped charges of apostasy against him because of a lack of evidence and suspicions he may be mentally ill.

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The Italian government granted asylum to Rahman after Muslim clerics called for his death.

"I say that we are very glad to be able to welcome someone who has been so courageous," Premier Silvio Berlusconi said.