Christian Woman Meriam Ibrahim Released, but Cannot Leave Sudan - Family Seeks Shelter at U.S. Embassy

Jun 27, 2014 01:06 PM EDT

Meriam Ibrahim and her family is reportedly taking shelter at the United States embassy in Khartoum, Sudan after being prevented from leaving the country. The wife of American Daniel Wani and mother of two had been re-arrested while trying to leave Sudan one day after being released from prison.

Meriam Ibrahim has had quite the tumultuous journey. First imprisoned for her Christian beliefs and for marrying a non-Muslim, Ibrahim - who was pregnant at the time - was sentenced to 100 lashings and to be put to death after the birth of her second child. Thankfully, after an international outcry over her plight, the Sudanese government decided to release her from imprisonment. The very next day, however, she was re-arrested while at the airport on charges of falsifying her travel documents.

Fox News reports that Ibrahim and Wani sought refuge at the U.S. embassy after being re-released by Sudanese officials Thursday evening. Ibrahim's attorney says that Ibrahim is out on bail and will be unable to leave the country until after the charges have been dropped against her.

Wani told the Agence France-Presse that his wife had received death threats, and the family believes that the embassy is the safest place for them to be right now. U.S. State Department official Marie Harf has said that the Sudanese government has assured them of the family's continued safety, and supporters of Ibrahim are hopeful that she will be able to leave the country as soon as possible.