Saving Face and Saving Rahman's Life, For Now

The pressure to release Abdul Rahman finally reached a tipping point. Abdul Rahman will not be tried for apostacy with a possible death sentence. The court has determined that there is insufficient evidence and the case has been returned to prosecutors to search for additional evidence:

An Afghan court on Sunday dismissed a case against a man who converted from Islam to Christianity because of a lack of evidence and he will be released soon, officials said.

The announcement came as U.S.-backed President Hamid Karzai faced mounting foreign pressure to free Abdul Rahman, a move that risked angering Muslim clerics who have called for him to be killed.

An official closely involved with the case told The Associated Press that it had been returned to the prosecutors for more investigation, but that in the meantime, Rahman would be released.

"The court dismissed today the case against Abdul Rahman for a lack of information and a lot of legal gaps in the case," the official said Sunday, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

This is a situation that bears ongoing scrutiny. The Afghan people are still trying to adapt to an understanding of Islam and freedom of religion, where Islam does not accept such a freedom, except as it relates to Islam.

Others blogging Rahman's imminent release: Michelle Malkin who has a roundup of worldwide reaction and further notes that Rahman's life remains in danger, MacRanger, Kim Priestap at Wizbang, and updated as needed.

Posted to Wizbang's Carnival of Trackbacks and Don Surber.

UPDATE:
The Anchoress examines the Rahman situation and wonders whether this is a test for Christians during the Lenten season. I don't know if this is a test for Christians, but it certainly is a test for those who believe in freedom of religion as being superior to any one religious doctrine.

Captain Ed is also on top of the situation. Others blogging: The Political Pit Bull, AJ Strata, Clarity and Resolve who also notes that there are other cases of religious intolerance still pending in Afghanistan, The Jawa Report, and The Officer's Club reports on the Danish response to the Rahman situation in Afghanistan.

Technorati: abdul rahman, islam, conversion, apostacy, afghanistan.