Sudanese mother put on death row for marrying a Christian travels to Rome as guest of Italian government

Meriam Ibrahim, 27 who was sentenced to death by hanging for the offence of apostasy in Sudan, and her family   has been safely transported to the Rome's Ciampino airport at around 9.30am on a plan provided by the Italian government,
She was greeted at the airport by Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, his wife Agnese and Foreign Minister Federica Mogherini.

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Meriam Ibrahim (right) and her children are welcomed by Italian dignitaries including Prime Minister Matteo Renzi (back, left), after landing at Ciampino Airport on the outskirts of Rome

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Meriam’s case drew worldwide attention in May when she was sentenced to death by hanging for apostasy

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Daniel Wani (right), husband of Meriam (not pictured), after the family flew from Sudan

The mother-of-two was accompanied on the flight by Italy’s Deputy Foreign Minister Lapo Pistelli, who met with Meriam on July 3 and has been following the case closely.

He told journalists he had been in 'constant dialogue' with Sudan but did not give any more details on Rome's role in securing her exit.

Mr Pistelli published a photograph on his Facebook page of himself with Ibrahim and her two children on the plane with the caption: 'A couple of minutes away from Rome. Mission accomplished.'

He also told reporters at the airport that the family was in good health and would stay in Italy for a few days before departing for the U.S.

The minister, who carried one of Ibrahim's young children off the plane, said he expected her to have 'some important meetings' during her time in Italy.

Asked whether she might meet Pope Francis, he said: 'I don't know the pope's agenda. The pope was informed about this by the prime minister and said he was happy and grateful.' 

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Meriam's stay in Italy was organised by the Italian government in collaboration with the Sudanese government

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Support network: Meriam poses hours after her release in June with her husband, Daniel (left) and her children, Martin (on Daniel's knee) and baby Maya and all those who bravely fought for her freedom

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Fight for love: Daniel Wani, an American citizen, has been fighting for his wife and children's release from Sudan

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said that no such meeting was currently in the pope's diary.

Meriam's stay in Italy was organised by the Italian government in collaboration with the Sudanese government.

Meriam’s case drew worldwide attention in May when she was sentenced to death over charges of apostasy. A daughter of a Muslim father, Meriam was raised by her Christian mother.

She married her husband Daniel Wani, who holds American citizenship and is also a citizen of South Sudan, in a church ceremony in 2011.

As in many Muslim nations, Muslim women in Sudan are prohibited from marrying non-Muslims, though Muslim men can marry outside their faith. By law, children must follow their father's religion. 

Sudan's penal code forbids Muslims from converting to other religions, a crime punishable by death. 

The court in the capital, Khartoum, had also ordered Ibrahim be given 100 lashes for having sexual relations with her husband.

When Meriam asserted that she was in fact Christian she was then accused of apostasy. Following the conviction Meriam was then forced to give birth to her daughter Maya in prison.

Although she was freed, she was initially prevented from leaving the country.

Since June 26 she has been staying at the American embassy in the Sudanese capital Khartoum, according to Corriere della Sera.

Meriam's case attracted international attention and the governments of the UK, the US and the United Nations all called for her to be freed.

Bill and Hillary Clinton were also among those demanding she be released, as was human rights campaigner Mia Farrow.  

Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who mentioned Ibrahim during his speech inaugurating Italy’s six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union, has also expressed his outrage.

'If there is no European reaction we are not worthy of calling ourselves Europe,' Renzi said.

Meriam's arrival in the Italian capital follows a European Parliament resolution condemning her 'degrading and inhumane treatment' and calling for legal reforms in Sudan.