More moderation from the moderates ........ Obama say, "Respect it!"
Algerian Christian Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison for Giving CD to His Neighbor AINA
Oran, Algeria -- For giving a compact disc on Christianity to his neighbor, an Algerian Christian was convicted for blasphemy and sentenced to a five-year term in prison.
Although the neighbor failed to appear to testify in court, the Djamel District Criminal Court judge gave Siaghi Krimo the maximum sentence of five years in jail and a 200,000 Algerian dinar fine (approximately $2,760 US Dollars). Krimo was charged under Article 144 of the Algerian Penal Code as someone who "denigrates the dogma or precepts of Islam, be it via writings, drawings, statements or any other means".
Without any witnesses or evidence whatsoever, the judge handed down a sentence that was far harsher than the one even the prosecution recommended. According to Algerian news reports, the prosecutor had requested a sentence of two years' imprisonment and a fine of 50,000 Algerian dinars ($690 US Dollars) for allegedly attempting to convert his neighbor to Christianity.
This excessive sentence comes just days after the government shut down seven Protestant churches in the Bejaia province. "It's impossible to overlook the significance of this sentence in light of Algeria's growing hostility towards peacefully practicing Christianity," stated Joseph K. Grieboski, founder and chairman of THE INSTITUTE. "If Algerian judges follow the dangerous precedent set by the Krimo case, all Christians in the country are in danger of landing in prison for pursuing the dictates of their hearts and minds".
Under Ordinance 06-03, a controversial law passed in 2006 to regulate non-Muslim worship, all churches must register in order to operate. On May 22, the governor of the Bejaia province closed several churches claiming they were operating illegally because the churches were not registered. However, the government has a history of ignoring such applications, which leaves nearly 100,000 Christians in Algeria unable to practice their faith legally and at grave risk for doing so illegally.
