China Frees Prominent House Church Leader; Others Detained
China has unexpectedly released a prominent house church leader from prison amid international concerns about his health, his family and rights activists confirmed Monday, September 19.
Christian Persecution
Kazakhstan Lawmakers Adopt “Repressive” Religion Law
Lawmakers in Kazakhstan have voted for controversial legislation that Christians and rights activists say will further limit religious freedom in the mainly Muslim Central Asian state.
Christian accused of Blasphemy dies in Pakistani Jail
A Christian accused of blasphemy died in a Pakistan prison from a treatable disease after he was denied medical care.
Mexico Evangelicals Leave Village Amid Crucifixion Threats
At least 70 evangelical Christians in Mexico’s east-central region were homeless Saturday, September 17, after being expelled by local authorities from their village where traditional Catholics reportedly threatened to “crucify or lynch” them.
India: Pentecostal pastors accused of “forced conversion”
Four Pentecostal pastors in Madhya Pradesh were recently beaten and arrested on charges of forced conversion, spending a night in jail before making bail.
Three dead, 60 wounded in clashes between Christians and Muslims
The toll from recent clashes between Christians and Muslims in Ambon, capital of the Moluccas, is three dead and 60 wounded.
Somali Christian Covert Kidnapped, Beheaded
The body of a kidnapped Christian convert from Islam was found decapitated near Hudur City on Sept. 2.
Freedom for two Christians in Iran @ $20,000 each
Two Azeri converts from Islam were both released temporarily on $40,000 bail after appearing before two separate court hearings.
India: Karanataka Boys Beaten, Arrested for Converting to Christ
Christians are regularly attacked in Karnataka by Hindu nationalists, while the authorities “turn a blind eye,” according to Sajan K. George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, concerning yet another case of abuse against so called forced conversions.
Chinese Christians Suffer Supporting Shouwang Church
Last Sunday five members of a house church in Fangshan tried to worship with members of the embattled Beijing Shouwang house church in a public square in Beijing.
Burmese army accused of commandeering Kachin Church
Kachin Christians have accused Burma’s military of violating their religious rights after government troops seized control of a church in Kachin State, transforming it into a military outpost complete with fortifications, trenches and land mines.
Iran Orders 5 Christians To Report To Prison, Group Says
Iran on Tuesday, September 6, ordered five Iranian Christians, including a heavily pregnant woman, to report to prison on charges linked to their Christian activities, a mission group working in the region said.
Iran: Christian Pastor freed from prison to face trial
Arrested on charges of blasphemy against Islam, Pastor Matthias Haghnejad is now free on bail, according to ASSIST News Service.
Iran: Vahik Abrahamian Released
According to an unconfirmed report from the Farsi News Network, after almost one year in prison, Pastor Vahik Abrahamian was released Aug. 29 and has rejoined his family.
Nigerian Army Helps Slaughter Christians
Muslim extremists with the alleged aid of Nigerian soldiers killed 24 Christians this month in Nigeria’s central Plateau.
Uzbekistan, Where Fines, Abuse and the Destruction of Religious Literature Abound
Police who raided a Protestant family’s home in Fergana also assaulted the husband as they confiscated a Bible, an Uzbek New Testament, the Proverbs of Solomon and a Koran.
Iran Detains Evangelical Pastor; Whereabouts Unknown
The whereabouts of an evangelical pastor in Iran remained unknown Saturday, August 27, some 10 days after he was detained by Iranian security forces as part of a reported government crackdown on Christian converts, Worthy News established.
Tortured Bangladesh Christian Activist Hiding In Hong Kong
He was tortured for his Christian faith, but still wanted to “sing the songs of David.” He was naked, but “Jesus Christ” clothed him “with His Love.” Words of Christian rights activist William Nicholas Gomes, a former Muslim who fled rough police and Islamic extremists in his native Bangladesh.
India State Halts Church Construction After Hindu Pressure
Authorities backed by Hindu militants have halted the reconstruction of a Baptist church that was destroyed in deadly anti-Christian violence in India’s volatile state of Orissa, local Christians said.
Chinese House Church Leaders Criminally Detained
Fifteen house church leaders from remote regions of China are being detained while local police attempt to extort money from their families for their release.