The Afghan Christian convert who was offered political asylum in Italy after he faced the death penalty for abandoning Islam, has arrived in Italy, Premier Silvio Berlusconi said on Wednesday.
The premier said he could not say where Abdul Rahman, 41, was staying, for obvious security reasons. Berlusconi said Rahman had arrived during the night and had asked for political asylum.
The decision to grant Rahman asylum was taken unanimously by the Italian cabinet Wednesday.
It was proposed by Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini, who announced the move Tuesday after speaking to Italy's ambassador in Kabul. The foreign ministry said the move move was a reflection of Italy's involvement in the case.
Italy was one of the first countries to appeal for Rahman's release, as soon as it became known that he faced a possible death sentence under Afghanistan's Islamic law, the sharia.
Italy has a history of sheltering exiles, in particular Afghanistan's former king, Zahir Shah, who returned home two years ago after 30 years in Rome.
