Mariam Yahya Ibrahim, the Sudanese woman spared the death penalty for converting to Christianity, detained once more while trying to leave the country, and later released trying to leave the country, is at the centre of a new controversy.

Her lawyer says she and her children have gone to the U.S. embassy with her husband who's a US citizen.

"This release doesn't mean she can leave Sudan, because it's based on bail. Therefore she is still subject to the charges against her and can't travel unless these charges are dropped. Otherwise the charges will have to be referred to a court," officials said.

Ibrahim was held at Khartoum Airport allegedly trying to use documents issued by the majority Christian South Sudan to leave the mostly Muslim north.