Christian Pastor Arrested in Iran
Iranian security forces have arrested three Christians including a pastor, according to Christian Today.
Christian Persecution
Sweden: Midwife Fired for Refusing to Perform Abortions
A Scandinavian rights group has filed a lawsuit against the Swedish government on behalf of a Christian midwife who was fired for refusing to perform abortions, according to International Christian Concern.
US Failure Leads to Sudan Mom’s Legal Limbo
The case of Meriam Ibrahim, the Christian Sudanese mom who was recently freed from prison after being sentenced to death for apostasy, remains in legal limbo.
Patriarch Appeals for Missing Nuns, Orphans
Iraq’s Patriarch has appealed for the release of two nuns and three orphans who have been missing in Mosul, according to Yahoo News.
North Korea Charges American for Leaving a Bible in Hotel Room
North Korea plans to charge an American tourist for “perpetrating hostile acts” after he apparently left a Bible in his hotel room, according to The Independent.
Islamic State Demands Tax From Christians; Rapes Those Who Can’t Pay
The Islamic State (IS) has been brutally enforcing Islamic laws in Mosul, according to the Assyrian International News Agency.
Meriam Ibrahim: Baby Disabled Due to Authorities Failing to Remove Leg Shackles During Birth
The Sudanese woman who gave birth in a Khartoum prison while in chains said her baby daughter is disabled as a result of her treatment, according to CNN.
Sudan Demolishes Yet Another Church
Sudanese authorities in North Khartoum demolished yet another church building Monday one day after giving its congregation verbal notice, according to Morning Star News.
Boko Haram Burns Churches, Kills More Than 30 people, Residents say
At least 30 Nigerians were killed Sunday in raids on four Christian villages in the northeastern state of Borno by suspected Boko Haram islamists, according to CNN.
Pope: More Persecuted Christians Today Than Ever Before
While celebrating a memorial Mass Monday for ancient Christians martyred by Nero, Pope Francis said there are more martyrs today than at any time in history, according to Breitbart.com.
US, Sudan Negotiates over Christian “Convert”
Officials in Khartoum are currently negotiating to allow a Sudanese woman who was just spared the death penalty to finally leave Sudan behind, according to Jihad Watch.
UN Human Rights Council Approves Inquiry into Eritrea
On Saturday the UN’s Human Rights Council created a commission of inquiry into Eritrea, one of the world’s most repressive states, according to International Christian Concern.
Iran: Pastor Irani Returned to Prison
Pastor Behnam Irani, who was assaulted by his own guards and transferred to a then unknown location on June 7, has been returned to Ghezal Hesar Prison, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide.
Meriam Ibrahim Released from Detention; Charged with Attempting to Travel on False Documents
Meriam Ibrahim, a Sudanese woman who was formerly charged with adultery and apostasy, has been released from detention in Khartoum after being rearrested on Tuesday. However, she faces new charges of attempting to travel on false documents punishable by up to five years in prison.
Nigeria’s Boko Haram ‘Seizes Women’ in Borno
More than 60 women and children have been abducted in northern Nigeria by militant Muslims, according to the BBC.
Egyptian Christian Sentenced to Six Years for Blasphemy
A Christian in southern Egypt has been sentenced Tuesday to six years in prison and fined the equivalent of $840 on charges of blasphemy and contempt of Islam for simply “liking” a Facebook page, according to International Christian Concern.
Meriam Ibrahim Rearrested at Airport
Meriam Ibrahim, a Sudanese woman who was sentenced to death for the crimes of adultery and blasphemy, was released yesterday — only to find herself rearrested at the airport as she was trying to leave Sudan, her legal team told CNN.
ISIS Begins Imposing Poll Tax on Christians in Mosul
The High Commission for Human Rights in Iraq has confirmed that the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant has begun imposing the jizya or poll tax on Christians in Mosul, according to the Assyrian International News Agency.
Meriam Ibrahim ‘Freed’ From Prison
Meriam Yahia Ibrahim, along with her 22-month-old son and 4-week-old daughter, have been released from the Omdurman Federal Women’s Prison by the Khartoum Court of Appeals, according to International Christian Concern.
Church Leaders Condemn Conditions in Eritrea
Four senior church leaders in Eritrea have published an open letter criticizing the African state as “truly shameful and unacceptable,” according to Barnabas Aid.