An Afghan Christian living in Kabul who knows Mossa told me today, “We are all happy and thankful. On one hand it is encouraging for us that God has answered our prayers; on the other hand I personally don’t know how much things have improved . . . the government must be more careful in future cases as they may not want to buy problems and international pressure for themselves.”

Two weeks ago reports were circulating that Sayed Mossa, the 46-year-old Afghan jailed since last May for converting to Christianity, would be executed by hanging. But this week Mossa was freed by Afghan authorities and has been allowed to leave the country.

Sources in Kabul, along with the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom in Washington, D.C., confirmed his release Monday. His whereabouts were not disclosed pending Mossa’s reunion with his wife and six children. Due to threats from Muslim neighbors and the hardship of Mossa’s imprisonment, the family in recent months was forced to leave Afghanistan.

Mossa’s release ends a frightening ordeal for the former International Committee for the Red Cross therapist. An amputee, his case gained attention last fall after he sent written dispatches from prison saying that he was enduring daily beatings and sexual abuse from Muslim prisoners. (See “Deeds done in darkness,” Nov. 20, 2010.)

Western Christians living in Kabul, where Mossa (whose name is also spelled Said Musa) was held on charges of apostasy after he appeared in a video showing a baptism service involving Afghans, visited Mossa in prison and lobbied officials for his release.

Read More: http://www.worldmag.com/webextra/17709