source: http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200806060879.html
Four Algerians who converted to Christianity have been condemned to
prison and heavy fines, while two others were set free after
renouncing their conversion.
The defence lawyer said the four were charged with "illegally
practicing a non-Muslim faith," the French news agency AFP re****ted.
Attorney Khelloudja Khalfoun said one of the converts was sentenced to
six months in prison and fined USD3,087, while the other three were
sentenced to two months in prison and fined USD1,544 each.
The four converts, who were condemned by a court in Tiaret, refused to
deny their faith, in contrast with the two others who were freed.
Kheloudja told AFP that he would appeal the verdict, since only the
ones who admitted they had converted were found guilty.
"They were judged by the facts themselves, and therefore all should be
guilty or all should be freed," he said.
The group of six converts was sentenced after being arrested for
participating in an "illegal" service. According to a law passed in
February of 2006 on religious wor****p in Algeria, places of wor****p
must be designated as such by the Ministry of Religious Affairs.
The court that handed down the verdict was the same court that tried
Habiba Kouider, who was arrested on April 1 for carrying a Bible and
"practicing a non-Muslim religion without a license." International
media attention caused the judge to try to relieve some of the
pressure by delaying her case and asking for an investigation.
Another court in the city of Tissemsilt will issue a verdict against
two other converts to Christianity on June 18, who were arrested on
November 20, 2007, and condemned to two years in prison and fines of
USD7,718. They appealed the verdict and are awaiting the results of
the appeal.
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