Italy and Germany defend Afghan Christian convert
21 Mar 2006 18:27:57 GMT

ROME, March 21 (Reuters) - Italy and Germany, NATO countries with troops in Afghanistan, expressed urgent concern to the Kabul government on Tuesday about reports that an Afghan convert to Christianity faced the death penalty there.

Italy called in the Afghan ambassador in Rome and its former President Francesco Cossiga suggested withdrawing Italian troops unless the man is spared. Two Berlin cabinet ministers spoke out and Germany's top Catholic cardinal demanded his freedom.

The protests present a dilemma for President Hamid Karzai, a key ally in the U.S.-led war on terrorism, who needs foreign troops to defend against al Qaeda and Taliban remnants. Germany has 2,700 soldiers in Afghanistan and Italy 1,775.

An Afghan judge said on Sunday a man named Abdur Rahman had been jailed for converting from Islam to Christianity and could face the death penalty if he refused to become a Muslim again. Islamic Sharia law stipulates death for apostasy. The rest