Afghan judiciary says won146;t bow to pressure on convert

Death is one of the punishments stipulated by the Sharia, or Islamic law, for apostasy. The Afghan legal system is based on a mix of civil and Sharia law.

8220;Afghanistan is an Islamic country and its judiciary will act independently and neutrally,8221; said Supreme Court judge Ansarullah Mawlavizada.

8220;No other policy will be accepted apart from Islamic orders and what our constitution says,8221; Mawlavizada said, adding he was saddened by the international outcry.

The case is sensitive for President Hamid Karzai who depends on foreign troops to battle Taliban and Al-Qaeda militants, and aid to support the economy, but also has to take into consideration views of conservative proponents of Islamic law. Several countries supporting Afghanistan with troops and aid have raised concern about Rahman8217;s fate and called for freedom of religion.