SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (AP) — Sudanese officials have freed an Oregon man who was acquitted of terrorism charges earlier this week but was immediately rearrested.

The Eugene Register-Guard reports (bit.ly/TJLlVD) that 30-year-old Rudwan Dawod (dah-WOOD) grew up in Sudan's war-torn Darfur region. He met his wife, Nancy, an Oregon native, in 2009 while working on a school project in Sudan. He later became a permanent U.S. resident.

Dawod returned this summer to rebuild a church. After he organized a student protest, officials charged him with terrorism — a charge that could have meant the death penalty.

A judge acquitted Dawod Tuesday, but security forces held him two days longer before releasing him to family members.

Dawod could return to Springfield, Ore., as early as next week. His wife and Dawod's employer told the paper about the events.

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Information from: The Register-Guard, http://www.registerguard.com