Persecution Reports World Wide

Alphabetical Country Index

AFGHANISTAN

AUSTRALIA

Pastors Settle Religious Vilification Case - Victoria Civil and Administrative Tribunal
Pastors Danny Nalliah and Daniel Scott have settled the religious vilification case they had been fighting in Australia state of Victoria for the past five years. According to a press release by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, the Islamic Council of Victoria and Catch the Fire Ministries have agreed that citizens have the right to robustly debate religion and criticize religious beliefs within the limits of the law. The pastors have spent more than $500,000 defending their right to present their views and insights about Islam.

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AZERBAIJAN

Pastor Arrested - Forum 18 News

On June 20, Pastor Hamid Shabanov was arrested after police claimed to find an illegal weapon while searching his home in Aliabad. According to Forum 18 News, "Pastor Shabanov's family and congregation insist that police planted the gun they claimed to discover. Shabanov's brother sees the arrest as a direct attack on the pastor's Baptist church and an attempt to halt Christian activity in the area. Shabanov's home was among those searched when another local pastor arrested on fabricated charges, Pastor Zaur Balaev, was detained in May 2007."

Imprisoned Baptist Pastor's Appeal Rejected - Forum 18 News
On October 3, the Sheki Appeal Court in Azerbaijan rejected Pastor Zaur Baleav's appeal to have his two-year prison sentence overturned. According to Forum 18 News Service, the head of the Baptist Union, Ilya Zenchenko, said, "We are stunned at the result the court handed down. We don't know what to do. It is a tragedy for his wife and children. It was all over in two minutes. Zaur's son is distressed, complaining that there is no hope and no law in Azerbaijan. He is very young, but his emotional reaction is understandable."

Imprisoned Pastor's Appeal Resumes - Forum 18 News
UPDATE: On September 6, the lawyer for imprisoned Baptist Pastor Zaur Balaev expressed optimism as the appeals process began in Sheki Appeal Court in Azerbaijan. According to Forum 18 News service, Gazalfar Rzaev said, "Of course I am optimistic." Illya Zenchenko, head of Azerbaijan's Baptist Union, was also hopeful Balaev's two-year sentence, on charges he assaulted five police officers, would be overturned. However, Zenchenko does fear Balaev might not be fully exonerated. He told Forum 18 News, "This is a dilemma for the court. Clearing Balaev would mean incriminating the police officers who falsely testified against him." On August 8, Balaev was convicted under Article 315, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which punishes the application or threat of application of violence against a state representative when he or she is carrying out official duties. Balaev was sentenced to two years in prison.

Two-Year Imprisonment for Baptist Pastor – Forum 18 News
UPDATE: On August 8, Baptist Pastor Zaur Balaev was sentenced to two years in prison by a court in the Northwestern Regional Center of Zakatala, Azerbaijan. According to Forum 18 News Service, Balaev was convicted of using violence against a state representative. He was accused of holding "illegal meetings under the guise of religious activity without concrete authority and registration." Forum 18 News reported, "He also was accused of attracting young people to worship services and playing loud music at services. Azerbaijan's authorities have changed their accusations since Balaev has been held. Police initially claimed Balaev set a dog on police during a raid on a Sunday worship service. After more than 50 people signed a written statement testifying to Balaev's innocence, the references to the dog disappeared from the authorities' claims. Instead, Balaev was accused of attacking five policemen and damaging a police car door." He was convicted under Article 315, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which punishes the application of or threat of application of violence, including to a state representative when he or she is carrying out official duties. It carries a maximum sentence of three years.

Pastor's Trial to Begin this Month - VOM Sources
Pastor Zaur Balaev's trial is set to begin later this month. He faces a criminal charge of "resisting government representatives," which carries a maximum three-year prison term. The authorities claim the pastor set a dog onto the police who raided the church's Sunday service on May 20, 2007. Pray for this pastor and his family. Ask God to protect them and other Christians in Azerbaijan.

Arrested Baptist Pastor to Face Three Years in Prison – Forum 18 News
Police have told members of the Baptist church in the remote village of Aliabad in north-western Azerbaijan that their pastor, Zau Balaev, is to face a criminal charge of "resisting government representatives," which carries a maximum three-year prison term. The authorities claim the pastor set a dog onto police who raided the church's Sunday service on May 20, 2007. According to Ilya Zenchenko, the head of the Baptist Union, the region around Aliabad is the worst in Azerbaijan for Baptists. "It is a place where officials insult our believers, won't allow them to gain legal status and deny birth certificates to their children," Zenchenko said.

Azeri Officials Deprive Christian Baby of Name – Compass Direct

Three-month-old Ilya Eyvazov has no official name. Local authorities in the town of Aliabad at first refused to issue a birth certificate when they saw the baby's name was the Russian form of Elijah. After a month, Novruz Eyvazov, the baby's father, succeeded only in securing a birth certificate that left his son's name blank. Considered part of a "foreign" religious sect, the three Baptist congregations in Aliabad face ongoing harassment from the local government, which has refused them official church registration for the past 13 years.

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BANGLADESH

Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) Workers Request Prayer – Persecution. com
Voice of the Martyrs  workers in Bangladesh ask for prayer as Bangladesh has been plunged into political chaos. Elections scheduled for January 22 have been postponed and the president has stepped down as interim leader shortly after declaring a state of emergency following 10 weeks of street protests which killed 45 and injured hundreds. Bangladesh faces political instability. "There are now widespread fears that the political order could break down, leading to either a military government or yet more space for hardliner Islamist groups," a VOM source said.

Islamic Extremists Face Death for Killing Christian – Compass Direct
A court in Bangladesh has sentenced two Islamic extremists to death for murdering Dr. Abdul Gani Gomes, a Christian convert from Islam, in September 2004. Gomes, 48, was returning from work in the northern town of Duyanipur in Jamalpur district when four militants, including the two convicted men, jumped him and, in their words, "hacked him to death." Hafez Mahmud and Mohammad Salauddin are leading figures in the banned Islamic militant group Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), according to a BBC report. Both men confessed to killing Gomes on the order of JMB leader Shaikh Abdur Rahman. JMB members said they resented Gomes because he had encouraged other Muslims to convert to Christianity. "I am happy that I killed him," Salauddin told reporters as he emerged from the courtroom. Compass sources said Gomes' wife, Shahnaz Parvin, also a Christian convert, was present at the trial. In front of the judges, the killers said they would kill her also if she did not convert back to Islam. Mahmud and Salauddin also threatened Judge Shaheed Noor Uddin, saying their "own" court had already sentenced the judge to death for passing down a guilty verdict.

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Military Government Asks for List of Christians – Persecution. com
The government in Burma has again asked for lists of all the names of Christian children's homes, assemblies, church pastors, leaders, members and families. The military government has also fixed the time for worship which forbids Christians to meet outside these "official" times. Christian leaders in Burma do not know what the government is going to do with the lists.

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CHINA

June 2008

Christians Detained for Helping Quake Victims – China Aid Association
On June 1, Chinese Public Security Bureau (PSB) police officers disrupted a house church meeting and forcefully detained seven believers during a Sunday service at Taikang county, Henan province. According to China Aid Association (CAA), "Approximately six PSB officials disrupted the house church meeting and forcefully detained seven of the participants. Police officials did not state the reason for the detention. During interrogation, police officials questioned the members as to who would be taking donations to the earthquake disaster area. One woman and her child were released; however the other six remain in detention under a charge of sending money to a disaster area in the name of a house church." According to reports, PSB officials have said they will not release those detained until they paid a fine.

April 2008

House Church Leaders Detained; Female Leaders Remain in Jail - China Aid Association
On March 29, seven house church leaders were arrested in Qu county, Sichuan province, during a house church praise and worship service. According to China Aid Association (CAA), "Seven believers were taken by a group who claimed to be from the local religious affairs bureau, community administration and national security. Two believers were released after interrogation, one was released the following day and three female house church leaders remain in the detention center. " Meanwhile, on March 30, nine female house church leaders and four children were arrested by police officials after a Sunday school service in Sichuan province. CAA reported, "All the children and two elderly believers were released after interrogations, but seven female house church leaders are still in the detention center, and one is missing." According to copies of the criminal detention notice issued to the family members of some of those arrested, the house church leaders were being "suspected of using [an] evil cult to obstruct the enforcement of the law." These arrests are the latest in the Chinese communist government’s crackdown on Christians prior to the Olympics this summer. The Voice of the Martyrs stands with believers in China despite the government’s attempt to harass and intimidate them.

Children Arrested for Attending Bible Study - China Aid Association
On February 28, 11 children and two adults were detained by Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials while attending a house church Bible study in Qingshihe Township, Xinjiang province. According to China Aid Association (CAA), "PSB officials disrupted the gathering and detained the minors along with Ms. Fu Jun, 41, owner of the house and Ms. Lu Lanxiang, 42. The children, ages 16 - 17, were brought to the Qingshihe Township PSB office in freezing weather and were not allowed to bring adequate clothing." The report added, CAA had confirmed PSB officials had imprisoned the believers under the charge of "illegal religious gathering," their wellbeing was unknown and their families had been denied visitation. Christians in China remain faithful despite the Chinese Communist government's increased persecution in recent months leading up to the Olympics later this summer. The Voice of the Martyrs supports believers in China with medical costs, Christmas Care packs for Sunday school children and literature to strengthen believers spiritually.

UPDATE - Prominent House Church Leader Beaten by Police Again - China Aid Association
On October 16, prominent house church leader Hua Huiqi was released from Tiantan Hospital and returned home. However, China Aid Association reported that the following day Public Security Bureau (PSB) police officers attacked and beat up Hua again after refusing to allow him to use the bathroom next to his bedroom. China's PSB recently put Hua under house arrest. Pastor Hua's 77-year-old-mother, Shuang Shuying, remains very ill in prison, serving a two-year sentence.

Prominent House Church Leader Repeatedly Beaten by Police – China Aid Association
On October 11, prominent house church leader, Hua Huiqi, was repeatedly attacked by police at his home. According to China Aid Association, "Hua was reading his Bible at his home despite police surrounding his house. He was sent to Beijing Tiantan Hospital, because he lost consciousness after repeated beatings from the police." China's Public Security Bureau (PSB) recently put Hua under house arrest. PSB officers had been surrounding his house when they attacked him. Pastor Hua's 77-year-old mother, Shuang Shuying, remains very ill in prison, serving a two-year sentence. VOM contacts say she is being held hostage by police in order to put pressure on Pastor Hua to reveal names and information of believers.

Two House Church Leaders under House Arrest - China Aid Association
On October 1, 2007, the Chinese government placed two house church leaders, Hua Huiqi and Liu Fenggang, under house arrest. According to China Aid Association (CAA), "Each of their houses has been surrounded by two dozen police. Some Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers were even staged on top of Pastor Hua's roof in order to prevent anyone from coming in or going out. On October 3, eight PSB officers broke Hua and his wife's bedroom windows, and then cut off the electricity to their house." Hua Huiqi was released from prison in July after serving six months, while Liu Fenggang was released in February after three years in prison. Meanwhile, Hua Huiqi's 77-year-old mother, Shuang Shuying, is serving a two-year sentence. According to CAA, Shuang Shuying was recently beaten severely, received no medical care; she is now dying in her prison cell. Pray for Christians in China who face increased persecution ahead of the 2008 Olympics.

House Church Leader in Xinjiang Formally Arrested, Church Leaders Released - China Aid Association

Imprisoned Elderly House Church Member's Health Worsens - China Aid Association
UPDATE: On August 17, 2007, The Voice of the Martyrs received information that imprisoned 76-year-old Shuang Shuying is seriously ill, and her family is seeking her immediate release on medical parole. According to China Aid Association (CAA), a letter from Shuying's daughter-in-law, Wei Jumei, reports that on a recent visit the family found Shuying in poor health. Jumei's letter said, "When my family and I visited her, my mother-in-law was extremely sick. Her hands were trembling and she looked pale. Just a few hours of sleep a day has seriously damaged her health. Prior to her imprisonment she weighed 121 pounds, but now weighs 88 pounds. The verbal abuse she gets from fellow inmates and the psychological pressure she is subjected to, have made her miserable. We appeal for her immediate release on medical parole."

House Church in Military Area Raided in Xinjiang – China Aid Association
On June 1, a military house church was raided and members were detained and abused during their interrogation. According to China Aid Association, a house church at the home of Gao Hongzhi was raided by 10 Public Security Bureau officers. Six believers, including Mr. Gao, were detained for 12 hours until the following morning. One believer was beaten during the detention time. Mr. Gao's house was searched without a search warrant and Bibles, calendars and a blackboard were confiscated as 'illegal religious materials,' without official confiscation papers."

More than 100 Christians Expelled - China Aid Association
Between April and June 2007, more than 100 foreign Christians accused of being involved in illegal religious activities were expelled from China. It is believed the campaign, called Typhoon No. 5, is part of the Chinese government's efforts to prevent foreign Christians from engaging in mission activities before the Beijing Olympics in 2008. China Aid Association (CAA) reports, "This is the largest expulsion of foreign missionaries since 1954 when the Chinese Communist government expelled all foreign religious workers after taking power in 1949. At least five different mission agencies and sources within the Chinese government report that in February, the government launched a massive expulsion campaign against foreign Christians."

House-Church Leaders Detained in Shangdong and Shaanxi Provinces - China Aid Association
In June, police in China arrested church leaders and accused them of being suspects using evil cults to obstruct the enforcement of the law. China Aid Association (CAA), reports Public Security Bureau officers told family members of some of the detained pastors that any religious activities without permission from the government Religious Affairs Bureau is regarded as evil cult activities. On June 9, the 12 house-church leaders were arrested while they were distributing Bibles in a market in Shaanxi province. Four leaders were released on the same day while the rest were transferred to a detention center without any explanation. The homes of the two detained pastors, Zhou Jieming and Niu Wenbin, were searched without search warrants, and Bibles and Christian literature were confiscated. Meanwhile, on June 15, six house-church leaders were arrested while having a house church service in Zhangba village, Shangdong province.

House-Church Leader Assaulted by Police - China Aid Association
On May 15, 2007, Liu Fenngang, a house-church leader in Beijing, was assaulted and detained by police, while he was going to a birthday celebration. According to China Aid Association (CAA), Liua's family was threatened and told not to draw public attention to his unlawful arrest. Liu told CAA, "It was at 7:15 a.m., and I was stopped by a plain clothed police man while walking down stairs. After a bit of shoving, I managed to work my way to the bottom of the stairs. Then, more policemen confronted me, saying they had no good reason or legal basis to arrest me, but they simply couldn't allow me to leave the building." CAA adds that some police officers told Liu they knew arresting him was illegal, but said if they let him go, they would lose their jobs. Pray Liu Fenngang and his family remain strong in their faith. Pray his health will not be affected by the assault. Isaiah 38:16, Acts 4:29-30

Thirty-Six Christians Arrested in Henan, China – Persecution. com/China Aid Association
On March 6, 2007, the police raided a house-church Bible study in Wancheng District, Nanyang City, Henan province. The leaders were taken to the police station and interrogated for a day. After international pressure, however, the local police have released 33 arrested house-church leaders and three leaders from South Korea. One leader, Pastor Dong Quanyu, was sentenced to 10 days administrative detention for "illegal" gathering. Pray Christians in China demonstrate the love of God through constant love and prayer for those who persecuted them.

Update on Elderly Mother of House Church Leader – China Aid Association
On February 26, Beijing house-church leader Hui Huiqi's 77-year-old mother, Shuang Shuying, was sentenced to two years in prison by Beijing Chongwen District People's Court. She was charged with willfully damaging public and private property. In January, Hui Huiqi and his elderly mother were attacked by police officers while they were walking near a 2008 Olympic hotel site in Beijing, China. Shuang Shuying was arrested when she sought information from the Chongwen District Office about her son, who was arrested on January 26.

Update on Pastor Liu Fenggang – Persecution. com
On February 26, 2007, Pastor Liu Fenggang had successful heart surgery in a Beijing Hospital. The doctors told the family that three aortas in his heart were 95% blocked. He and his wife are thankful for the prayers for his health.

House-Church Leader and Elderly Mother Formally Charged – China Aid Association

• On February 8, Beijing house-church leader Hua Huiqi was formally arrested by Beijing Public Security Bureau Chaoyang Branch and his 76-year-old mother was arrested for the second time by Beijing Security Bureau Chongwen Branch. In January, Hua Huiqi and his elderly mother were attacked and wounded by seven police officers while walking near a 2008 Olympic hotel site in Beijing, China. His family later learned he was sentenced to one month of criminal detention.

• Pastor Liu Fenggang, who was recently released from prison, is in the hospital with heart problems.

Christians Arrested in China – China Aid Association/Persecution. com

• On January 22, 2007, three "Minority for Christ" workers were arrested in Guizhou province. Guizhou has one of the largest Hmong populations and is also one of the strongest Communist provinces in China.

• VOM sources also report that security police arrested 11 Korean Christians after visiting a local village in China. After extensive interrogation they were released. The group is helping a local village build a new church building.

On January 26, 2007, Hua Huidi and his 76-year-old mother were attacked and wounded by seven police officers while walking near a 2008 Olympic hotel site in Beijing, China. According to China Aid Association (CAA), Hua, an active house-church member in Beijing, and his mother were kicked on the ground and later taken to the Olympic Police Station for questioning. "When Hua asked the police to release his sick mother and explain the legal ground for the detention, he was beaten repeatedly. While the temperature in Beijing was in the 20s, cold water was poured on him. He was later taken to a detention center," CAA said. Hua's family learned that he was sentenced to one month of criminal detention.

UPDATE - Pastor Cai in Labor Camp – China Aid Association
Pastor Cai is serving his three-year prison sentence in a labor camp near Tianjin City. "His wife was released from prison and is in good health. She is caring for their son, but is afraid. Pastor Cai's brother reported that Cai is in good spirits and his faith is very strong," a China Aid Association (CAA) contact said. Meanwhile, Pastor Cai's church was raided on Christmas Eve, while 150 members were worshipping. "Police officers raided the church, videotaped and forced the members to register their identification and warned them not to gather," CAA added.

House Church Closed in Anhui – China Aid Association
On November 26, a house church in Laodong Xincui, Tongling City, Anhui Province was closed by the government. The leaders were told to join the local Three-Self Church. The house church was founded 53 years ago by renowned Brother Wang Xingquan who was imprisoned for his faith during the Cultural Revolution. The nearly 200 members are under supervision from the local Religious Affair Bureau which is intimidating and exerting pressure on them. The employers of Brother Wang Xingquan's daughter have stopped paying her salary and threatened to fire her if she does not set an example and join the local Three-Self Church. Four Christian brothers from Xinjiang province, who were imprisoned for 32 days between October and November this year, were admitted to the hospital after being tortured by other prisoners.

Church Faces Imminent Destruction of Building – China Aid Association
A house church in Yangjianong Village, Qixian Town, Shaoxing County, has received notification from the local government to vacate the church building before December 4, 2006. Approximately 200 Christians have worshipped at this church since 2001. Recently the local government declared that the church be demolished to make room for a park, but refused to arrange a new location for the church. The church is now filing a lawsuit against the county government to prevent the demolition. However, a document issued by Shaoxing demolition administrative office on November 30 states, "The demolition will not be stopped by the administrative review or the lawsuit."

Final Trial of Religious Leaders May Impose Death Penalty – China Aid Association
Xu Shengguang, along with two other church leaders, may face a death sentence in December from the Shuang Yashan Intermediate People's Court will be upheld. Meanwhile, China Aid Association (CAA) learned Christians Tian Yinghua, Wang Qiu and Jiang Rong in Wendeng City, Shandong Province, who filed lawsuits against the local Public Security Bureau (PSB), have reached an out of court agreement. As a result of the agreement, the Wendeng PSB revoked the administrative penalty decision and the three Christians withdrew their lawsuit.

Handicapped Pastor Sentenced to Two Years in Prison – China Aid Association
CAA learned October 9 that Pastor Wang Zaiqing, a prominent Chinese house-church leader in Anhui Province was sentenced to two years in prison on the charge of "illegal business practices," fined 100,000 Yuan ($12,500.00 US), and had all the books and printing funds taken from his home. Pastor Wang was crippled at the age of 5 years. He became a Christian in 1993, and later became a very well-known house church planter and preacher in several provinces around Anhui Province.

Christians Protest Government Takeover of Church Property – China Aid Association
CAA learned that 300 Christians from a Three-Self Patriotic Movement church in Gansu province have remained silent for 15 days at their original church property, protesting the local government that is occupying it.  They are requesting the return of this property to the church.  Also, on October 20, local police besieged a home where Christians were gathered for a house blessing in Qingshui Town, Xinjiang. More than 10 Christians, including three Singaporeans, were arrested and released the next day.  Five are still in detention.  They are: Brother Liu and Brother Ouyang Liang from Uramqi, Brother Li Baoming, Brother Tan Defu, and Brother LouYuanqi from Huocheng. Brother Ouyang, whose home was searched by the police, has been escorted to an unknown place.

Prosecution of Six Christian Leaders Postponed – China Aid Association
The trial of six Christian leaders arrested in July in connection with the demolition of a church under construction, has been postponed due to lack of evidence. The local prosecutor in Hangzhou city decided not to prosecute the church leaders at this time. At the time of the event, the church leaders implored the military police to postpone entering the construction site, and at the same time urged the Christians to leave quickly. A potential large-scale clash was actually avoided on the spot. The local people's prosecutor might find the charge of "incitement to resist law-enforcement" is not tenable. The case was returned to the local PSB to gather more evidence. According to an expert legal analyst, the most optimistic prospect is that the case will be thrown out for lack of sufficient evidence.

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COLOMBIA

CUBA

Authorities Threaten Pastors with Imprisonment - VOM Sources
In May, secret police in Cuba threatened four pastors with 25 to 50 years in prison if they continued receiving financial assistance from international ministries around the world. The pastors were forced to sign documents renouncing the help. The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts in Cuba report, "The secret police told them (pastors) that if they did not give up the financial help, they would be considered anti-revolutionary and conspirators against the government. As a result, the pastors are afraid and have not accepted help."

UPDATE - Pastor Issued Not Guilty Verdict – Persecution. com
Pastor Carlos Lamelas has officially been given his innocent verdict in writing by the court. He is trying to have the fine he paid reversed as well.

Cuban Pastor Acquitted, but Convicted on New Charge – Compass Direct
A Cuban court acquitted Rev. Carlos Lamelas of human trafficking, but convicted him on previously announced charges of falsification of documents. The judges imposed a fine of 1,000 pesos ($45) for the new charges. "Even though this (sentence) is favorable, we are not satisfied. If a crime of falsification truly had been committed, that would make me an accomplice of trafficking in humans, and I would not have been acquitted. How can it be that I am innocent of the original crime and nevertheless guilty of the one they later invented," Lamelas said.

Prosecutor Recommends Acquittal of Church Leader –  Compass Direct/Persecution. com
Monday, December 4th a prosecuting attorney in Havana recommended that the Rev. Carlos Lamelas be acquitted of all charges of trafficking in illegal emigrants. The accusations had sent the evangelical pastor and former national president of his church to jail for more than four months earlier this year. Despite the motion for acquittal, Lamelas's future still remains in doubt. "The trial is now at the stage of determining sentence, and we must await the judges' decision," Lamelas said. "The worst part is that we have to keep waiting possibly for one or two more months."

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EGYPT

Christian Homes and Businesses Attacked - VOM Sources

On June 19, 2008, a mob of local Muslims attacked businesses and homes belonging to Coptic Christians in the village of Al Nazla, Fayoum province. According to VOM contacts, "When a convert from Christianity to Islam left that day on a three-day trip to Cairo, local Muslims concluded that she had gone missing. Rumors circulated that she had been abducted by her Christian family members. A mob of Muslims then went on a rampage in the village, beating and injuring Christians and destroying property."

Muslims Attack Christian Shops and Homes in Egypt - Compass Direct News
Seven Christians were injured in two recent, unrelated attacks on Coptic Orthodox churches and Christian-owned shops in northern Egypt. According to a Compass Direct News report, on June 8, 2008, Muslim men damaged and looted Christian shops and churches in the town of Zawyet Abdel-Qader, 20 miles west of Alexandria. A number of Christians were injured while trying to defend their property. Two churches were also vandalized. Pray for those injured in the attacks. Pray Christians will show Christian's love to the attackers. 3 John 2, Psalm 107:19-20

Christians Attacked – Persecution. com
On May 11, a mob of Muslims attacked Christians in Bahma village south of Cairo after hearing rumors that a church was to be built in the village without government permission. Muslims left their Friday prayers and attacked the homes and shops of Christians, setting the buildings on fire. At least 10 Coptic Christians were injured in the attack. People from both faiths took up sticks and hatchets and began hurling bricks and firebombs at each other. At least 27 houses and shops were damaged by fire. At last report, 59 Muslims have been arrested on charges of arson and spreading sectarian strife.

Police Detain Families after Anti-Christian Attack – Compass Direct News
Police detained Christian families in Upper Egypt and forced them to deny arson attacks on their homes during an outburst of anti-Christian violence last week. Two Coptic Orthodox families have said police detained them for 36 hours when they attempted to report a February 13 assault on their homes in Armand, 373 miles south of Cairo. The fires came five days after Muslim groups set four Christian-owned shops alight on February 9. It is believed hostilities began over accusations that Christians were blackmailing Muslim women to convert. Authorities detained Christians when they tried to report the February 13 arson attack on their homes.

Police Raid Shop, Arrest Christian Shop Owner – Persecution. com
On December 26, 2006, police raided a shop owned by Magdy Guirgis Fam, an active member in the Egyptian Christian Youth Union (ECYU), who works under the Coptic Orthodox Church. The police destroyed his shop, beat him and arrested him. Magdy's ministry is following up with girls that Muslims kidnap or try to forcibly convert. This ministry has protected, rescued hundreds of Christian girls who have been threatened with kidnapping or forced conversion. The secret police have threatened other members of the ECYU.

Christian Convert from Islam Jailed – Compass Direct
A Muslim sheikh jailed in Egypt for 18 months has declared from his prison cell that he is under arrest for "insulting Islam" by becoming a Christian. Egypt's secret police transferred Bahaa el-Din Ahmed Hussein el-Akkad, 57, to the Wadi el-Natroun Prison last month. He was told he would remain there indefinitely unless he agreed to work as a government informer against other converts to Christianity.  According to the prisoner's Cairo attorney, Athanasius William, his client remains incarcerated in this desert prison "only because he has chosen a different belief, to be a Christian."  When courts ordered El-Akkad's release from provisional detention 10 weeks ago, State Security Investigation authorities deliberately ignored the ruling.

Christian Girl Abducted - Whereabouts Still Unknown – Persecution. com
After working 14 hours in the fields, Saber, an Egyptian Christian, had his plans of relaxation interrupted by a knock on his door. It was his neighbor's teenage son who wanted to buy some hay. Having no energy to fetch the hay, Saber sent his 16-year-old daughter, Suzanne, to get the hay from his backyard. She never returned, and Saber suspects the teenager forcibly converted and married her. Our contact reports Saber has forgiven his daughter's abductor but desperately wants to know where Suzanne is and how she is living.

Christian Girl Kidnapped by Muslims Escapes – Compass Direct
An Egyptian Christian teenager escaped her Muslim kidnappers last week hours after they had drugged her on a public bus. They threatened to rape her and convert her to Islam if her family did not leave their Nile Delta city of El-Mahala el-Kobra. Laurence Wagih Emil, 15, escaped the ground-floor room where she was being held in Cairo's southern Helwan suburb at 10 p.m. last Tuesday (October 3) while her captors were away breaking their Ramadan fast. Her father, Wagih Emil, had received several threatening text messages from his daughter's mobile phone. "Take the rest of your daughters and leave the city, or you will lose them one by one," said one. "The girl is not accepting easily, but she will embrace Islam for sure." Before family members recovered her, State Security Investigation officials interviewing Laurence Emil told her she would never see her parents again unless she reported a false story denying the kidnapping. The kidnapping of Christian teenage girls in Muslim nations has reached into the thousands.

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ERITREA

Christians Arrested – Compass Direct News
On May 28, Eritrean police arrested 34 evangelical Christians in the city of Keren, Eritrea. According to Compass Direct News, "The Christians, who are members of the Berhane Hiwet (Light of Life) Church, were meeting in a private home for prayer and fellowship. All 24 men and 10 women present in the meeting were taken to prison, with their children left behind. The next day security officials transferred the women prisoners to the Adi-Abeyto Military Confinement facility on the outskirts of the capital city of Asmara." Pray for the release of Eritrean Christians who are imprisoned for the sake of Christ.

Gospel Singer Helen Berhane Granted Asylum in Denmark - VOM Sources
Eritrean gospel singer, Helen Berhane, who was released from prison in November 2006 after being detained in Eritrea for two years without charge, has been granted asylum in Denmark. Berhane and her daughter arrived in Denmark on October 19, after spending 11 months in Sudan. Her health remains extremely poor, due to the physical suffering she experienced during her detention. She cannot walk without assistance. During Berhane's detention, she was held for extended periods of time in shipping containers and tortured several times by authorities in an effort to force her to recant her faith. Thank God that Berhane has found a safe place to live.

Senior Pastor Arrested – VOM Sources
Pastor Oqbamichael, a well-known leader of the Kale-Hiwot Church in Eritrea, was arrested and imprisoned. This was the second imprisonment for the pastor in the past two years. In 2005, he was arrested at a Christian wedding and was later released after 10 months in prison, which included solitary confinement and hard labor in the Sawa Military Camp. The arrest of Pastor Oqbamichael follows the recent arrest of Evangelist Mussie Ezaz, who is also a minister in the Kale-Hiwot Church.

Christian Tortured to Death in Eritrea

On September 5, Eritrean authorities tortured to death 33-year-old Migsti Haile for refusing to recant her Christian faith while being held at the Wi’a Military Training Center.

Haile is the fourth Christian killed in Eritrea in less than a year. Compass Direct News reported, “She was one of 10 single Christian women arrested at a church gathering in Keren. They have spent 18 months under severe pressure. Haile was killed for refusing to sign a letter recanting her faith.”

In May of 2002, government officials called in the leaders of all evangelical churches in Eritrea and told them they would not be permitted to hold further public services. Only the “historic religions” of Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran and Islam have been allowed to hold public worship since that time.

Compass Direct says that more than 2,000 Eritrean Christians are imprisoned. Not a single one of them has been formally charged or had a public trial, and all have been denied legal representation. Amnesty International released a report yesterday that said most of the more than 2,000 imprisoned Christians have been held for more than two years in harsh conditions, with little or no medical care.

Todd Nettleton, The Voice of the Martyrs’ director of media development, said, “We mourn the loss of this Christian sister, but we also celebrate her faithful witness for Christ. I hope that the world community will join in condemning the government of Eritrea for the ongoing abuse of people of faith among their citizens.”

Twenty Christians Arrested by Security Forces VOM Sources / Release Eritrea
At least 20 Christians, including several children, were arrested and detained when security forces raided a home south of the capital, Asmara. According to Release Eritrea, authorities went to the home expecting to arrest a group of Christians gathered for prayer. When they did not find a meeting they arrested the families living in the home and several Christians in the neighborhood, including a well-known Bible teacher and church leader, Pastor Michael Abraha, of the Kale-Hiwot Baptist church. There is considerable concern for the pastor's health because he is diabetic. Pray the arrested Christians will be encouraged. Ask God to raise up more believers in Eritrea to take the place of those who are imprisoned. Pray for Pastor Michael's health. Psalm 91: 1-2

Pastor Arrested – Persecution. com
Pastor Habtom Tesfamikael, one of the last remaining free Christian leaders in Eritrea, was recently arrested and imprisoned. He was a pastor of one of the largest Pentecostal churches in Eritrea, the Asmara Full Gospel Church. Pastor Habtom is married and has been serving the Lord for more than 30 years.

Sixty-eight Christians Arrested – Compass Direct News/Persecution. com
Police and military authorities in Eritrea jailed 68 Christians in three official round-up operations conducted the first week of January.

• January 4 - Military commanders at Sawa Military Center held "random check-up on the activities of Christian extremists" on teenage student conscripts. They found 250 Bibles, which they burned in front of the whole military camp. They arrested 35 students and ordered they be subjected to severe military punishment, including torture.

• January 5 - Police took 8 government workers into custody. The Christians are being interrogated and pressured by police to identify leaders and name anyone supporting them.

• January 5 - Thirty-five Christians in Assab were arrested by police. They were pressured to recant their faith.

Christian Singer Freed From Prison  – The Chicago Tribune
Gospel singer Helen Berhane, who belonged to a banned evangelical church in Eritrea, has been released after more than two years in detention. She was released in late October, according to a statement issued by Amnesty International. Berhane was arrested in May 2004. "She spent most of her detention in inhuman and degrading conditions inside a metal shipping container, which was used as a prison cell, the statement said. The authorities reportedly tortured her many times to make her recant her faith.

Police Arrest 150 More Christians  – Compass Direct
In a large-scale roundup in late October, Eritrean authorities have detained 150 Christians from at least five of the country's outlawed churches.  Starting October 25, security officers in the town of Mendefera began going from house to house, arresting local Christians from a list they compiled of known members of Pentecostal churches and the Orthodox renewal movement. During the first day's raids, a total of 38 men and 17 women were incarcerated at the military fort in Mendefera, 30 miles south of Asmara. Local sources confirmed to Compass that police authorities were subjecting the detained Christians to beatings and other physical mistreatment. According to eyewitnesses, at least 10 nursing mothers were among the new prisoners, all of them forced to leave their infants behind.

Two Christians Tortured to Death – Compass Direct
On October 17, security police tortured two Christians to death, two days after arresting them for holding a religious service in a private home south of Asmara. The deaths came after officials detained a U.S. citizen and re-imprisoned a popular Christian singer who was hospitalized as a result of spending 29 months in a metal shipping container. Immanuel Andegergesh, 23, and Kibrom Fir Romans 10 : 8emichel, 30, died from torture wounds and severe dehydration in a military camp outside the town of Adi-Quala, eyewitnesses told Compass. Earlier this month, Eritrean authorities returned popular Christian singer Helen Berhane to military detention after she spent three days in Asmara's Halibet Hospital for medical treatment. Berhane's leg had been seriously damaged as a result of beatings she received while imprisoned in a metal shipping container since her arrest in May 2004.

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Muslims Attack Homes in Ethiopia - VOM Sources
On October 16, Muslims attacked 25 Christian families and demolished 12 homes in Seka Yoyo, in the southwest of Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts, the families were forced to flee to nearby Jimma. Thank God no believers were killed or seriously harmed during this attack.

Homes of Christians Burned, Christian Man Killed – Persecution. com
On January 8, the homes of three Christian families were burned by Muslims in the village of Begge.  Even though the family belongings were burnt, no one was injured in the attack. At last report, the police had not yet investigated the incident or taken any action to bring the arsonists to justice. In the same area, 10 Christian youths have been living in a church building in Begge three months after fleeing from their homes. They were chased from their homes after their families threatened to execute them for converting from Islam.  In a separate incident, a Christian man was killed by an unknown person in the town of Kofele. The father of five was hit on the head with a metal iron rod. His family believes he was killed by Muslims, since the Kofele area is dominated by Muslims.

Attacks on Christians in Western Ethiopia – Persecution. com
Hailu, an elder of a Mennonite Church in Jimma was imprisoned after a group of Muslims accused him of insulting the Prophet Muhammad. Hailu had refused to move out of his house and sell his property to a nearby mosque. The Muslims responded by telling him that "kafirs" (infidels) should not live around mosques and threatened him repeatedly, demanding that he leave his property. When he refused, they eventually accused him of insulting Muhammad. During Hailu's November 9 court hearing, Muslims brought in false witnesses to testify against him. The court ordered him to be imprisoned for an unspecified period of time. In another incident, November 17, the house of Jemal Tasisa was burned by Muslims in the village of Tongo. Tasisa, an elder in a local Lutheran church, has fled to Assosa, Benishangul state with his five children.

Five Churches Burned – Persecution. com

Contact in Ethiopia has reported that five churches were burned recently. Religious conflicts in Dembi have taken the lives of Christians. International Christian Concern (ICC) reported on Thursday that it had just been informed of a brutal attack on Christians on July 20 in Henno, Ethiopia. Seven Muslim clerics in southern Ethiopia angry over the conversion of two prominent Muslims in 2005 brutally attacked at least 50 Christians, seriously injuring 12. However, many Muslims in the region have condemned the violence against Christians and some have refused to go to mosques. According to ICC, 47 Muslim leaders became Christians and renounced Islam stating, "If Islam means killing innocent brothers and sisters - we do not want to follow it!"

INDIA

June 2008

Pastor Beaten; Churches Attacked – VOM Sources
On May 27, Pastor Rampal Kori was beaten by two Hindu militants in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, "The militants repeatedly struck the pastor, who was returning from prayer meetings, with an iron rod and accused him of forcibly converting villagers to Christianity. They also robbed him of 3000 Rupees (US $70). Pastor Kori sustained serious injuries that required stitches in his head." Meanwhile on May 26, in an unrelated incident, militants demolished a thatched church in the district of Adilabad, Andhra Pradesh. On June 1, another group attacked the Masihi Mandir Church in the district of Oriya Para, Chhattisgarh state, during a morning church service. VOM sources added, "At approximately 11:00 a.m., the militants barged into the church building and destroyed the facility's furniture. The attackers accused the believers present of forcibly converting people, and threatened them with dire consequences if they continued to worship Christ." Pray for healing for Pastor Kori.

April 2008

New Testament Distribution by Gideons Stopped by Hindu Radicals - VOM Sources
On April 6, Hindu extremists stopped a Gideon International New Testament distribution in Bhubaneswar in Orissa State. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, "New Testaments were being given to college students that were leaving the Examination Center at the Central School. These students had just completed their medical school entrance examinations. Realizing the New Testaments were being given openly to the students, local Hindus demanded the group stop the distribution." VOM contacts added, "When the members of Gideons ignored these requests, more Hindus began to intervene. After distributing 390 New Testaments, the mob became irate and began to manhandle the Gideons, demanding they leave. They were forced to pack up the New Testaments and leave immediately. As they were packing up, the mob was able to take 10 New Testaments and set fire to them in the street. A few members of Gideons sustained minor injuries."

March 2008

Hindu Extremists Assault New Christian Leader - Compass Direct News
On February 27, the newly-elected president of the Balaghat Christian Association was beaten for providing legal help to victims of an earlier Hindu extremist attack on February 22. According to Compass Direct News, "Members of the Hindu extremist group, Bajrang Dal allegedly targeted Dr. Robin Singh, a medical doctor and Christian leader, because he had provided legal and administrative help to Tom George, Sunil Lal and others who had been dragged from a Lent meeting and beaten with bamboo poles, sticks, rods and other weapons. They struck him with their fists and wooden sticks, as well as kicked him, to deftly give him internal injuries."

On October 11, Pastor Ganesh Murthy was attacked by two Hindu extremists while he was distributing literature and praying for local people in the village of Rampura, Karnakata. The extremists verbally abused, beat and dragged him to the local police station where he was detained on charges of forcible conversion. The extremists also tried to forcibly convert Pastor Murthy to Hinduism by promising to meet the financial needs of his wife and three children if he complied. However, the pastor refused the offer and stood firm in his faith. He is still in prison.

On October 14, Pastor Thadikal and his wife were attacked in their home in the Vayandu district of Kerala, by two Hindu extremists. The pastor and his wife sustained serious head injuries.

Pastor Threatened; Pastor and Wife Assaulted, Imprisoned and Later Released – VOM Sources

• KASHMIR – On July 29, five men from the Molvis Al-Hadis Mosque in Baramulla threatened Pastor Bashir Masih, and other believers preparing for Sunday worship. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts in India, "The five men threatened the believers and instructed them to vacate the house, which is also used as a house church, within a month since it is located near a mosque." In the past, Muslim extremists have assaulted Pastor Masih's disabled son and Muslim village authorities have allowed extremists to block drinking water to Pastor Masih's home. Pastor Masih was a Muslim who converted to Christianity in 2005. His house church, Shalom Prayer House, was started in 2005.

• KARTANAKA – August 10, Pastor Victor and his wife Glory were released after spending a month in prison. On July 9, the couple was assaulted by a Hindu extremist while they were distributing tracts in the Bijapur District, Karnataka. They were later arrested. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts in India, a grocery store owner invited the pastor and his wife to his home and while they were talking, a man entered the home and attacked them. VOM contacts report, "When the man entered the home, he saw gospel tracts and began cursing at the pastor and slapped him. The grocery owner joined the assault and dragged the pastor out of the home and put him on a rickshaw and took him to the police. The Hindu extremist registered a complaint against the couple for inciting religious disharmony." The couple was arrested under section 296 A of the Indian Penal Code.

Christian Leaders Attacked, Christians Openly Persecuted and Stabbed – VOM Sources

• RAJASTHAN – On July 25, five men attacked Emmanuel Ministries. According to The Voice of The Martyrs contacts in India, the attackers had two handguns, a sword, a large stick and numerous stones. VOM contacts report, "They started fighting Mr. Jetha, one of the ministry office staff. They shouted that they would kill M.A and Samuel Thomas, the leaders of Emmanuel Ministries, and continuously beat Mr. Jetha. They threatened that they would 'kill and willingly go to prison for six years.' In a separate incident on July 31, members of Believers Assembly Church in Sri Ganga Nagar District, Rajasthan, were summoned by the police for questioning after Hindu fundamentalists complained believers were converting local villagers. VOM contacts report, "The new believers were threatened by police and pressured to leave Christianity and return to Hinduism. They were also warned that if they fail to return to Hinduism the provisions of the Anti-Conversion Act of Rajasthan, would be used to arrest them."

• KARNATAKA – On July 29, a mob of about 15 Bajrang Dal extremists armed with clubs, cricket bats and knives attacked Believers Church, in Shimoga District, mercilessly beating the pastor. According to VOM contacts, "the attackers barged into the church and abused the Christians, using filthy language and began hitting and stabbing them. They destroyed the pulpit, chairs, musical instruments, furniture, and window panes and damaged the church walls. The pastor was also severely beaten with a cricket bat and his body was swollen."

Christians Beaten by Police Inspector; Pastor Beheaded - VOM Sources

• KARNATAKA - On July 15, while a group of Christians were gathered for worship in Thadesa, a police inspector assaulted two believers and took them to the police station. The police inspector continued to beat them for another three hours there.

• MANIPUR - On July 5, Pastor Pau Za Khen, a Burmese pastor of the Upper Myanmar Evangelical Lutheran Church, was beheaded by an unidentified group in the town of Churachanpur, Manipur. Pastor Khen was abducted from his daughter's home by four men on July 4. His decapitated body was found in a field outside of town the next morning. His hands were tied behind his back and he was blindfolded.

Pastor Charged Under New Anti-Christian Law in Andra Pradesh - VOM Sources
Pastor Devampu, was beaten by Hindu radicals in the presence of police in Kanipackam, Andra Pradesh. He was arrested and charged under Indian Penal Code 295, and the law GO 747, which bans non-Hindus from being in 12 temple towns in Andra Pradesh State. Pastor Devampu has been ministering in Kanipackam, which has one of the 12 temples, for the past two years. Pray Pastor Devampu will be released. Pray for protection for Christians in India.

Christians Beaten by Hindu Extremists - VOM Sources
On June 24, a Carmelite priest and four other Christian men were attacked by a group of Hindu militants in Kundapurna, Karnataka state. While the men were in the waiting room of a hospital with a neighbor, Islamic extremists started insulting then and accused them of forcibly converting Hindus. The attackers threw the priest down a flight of stairs and beat him. When the other men came to his aid, they were also beaten. The Christians were then taken to the police station where the militants filed a complaint of forcible conversion against them. All five Christians have been hospitalized for their injuries.

Missionary Threatened with Death - Gospel for Asia
Anti-Christian extremists in Utter Pradesh have threatened to kill Gospel for Asia missionary Daya Marandi, if he does not leave the area where he is ministering. The extremists have also made threats to harm more than 50 people who worship in Daya's church and are demanding believers in the church denounce Christianity.

Two Christian Leaders Killed, VOM Coordinator Attacked - VOM Sources

UTTER PRADESH - On June 2, 2007, two Christian leaders were stabbed to death at a Christian school and orphanage in Etah District, Uttah Pradesh. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, it is believed Samuel Masih and Aman Singh, leaders at the school, were brutally killed by anti-Christian Hindu extremists. "Aman Singh's body had more than 20 stab wounds, while Masih had been stabbed five times. Police are investigating. Robbery has been ruled out as a motive, and the family suspects that religion was a factor," the contacts said. Pray for the families of those killed. Pray believers in this area will be strengthened and encouraged despite the hardships they face.

BANGALORE - On June 8, 2007, a coordinator for The Voice of Martyrs was attacked at his home by Hindu extremists. According to VOM contacts, more than 150 extremists were bussed in from different areas and gathered at his house, which also serves as a house church. "Brother N hid in a room while other believers contacted the police. While the police arrived, the crowd grabbed him and beat him severely. He has cuts and bruises and was nearly unconscious when he was taken away to the police station and hospital."

Attack on Priest and Nun, Services Disrupted, Christians Beaten – Persecution. com

• JHARKHAND - On May 14, Reverend George Minj and Sister Teresa Kindo, were attacked in a village near Ranchi as they returned to their parish in the evening after leading prayers in a nearby village. The priest sustained a blood clot in the head and is being kept under observation.

• KARNATAKA - On May 13, more than 20 Hindu extremists attacked a worship service in the town of Kushalnagar. The extremists destroyed Bibles, and beat several believers. They told the pastors to stop converting people to Christianity.

Pastors Brutally Beaten – Persecution. com

• RAJASTHAN - On March 7, 2007, Pastor Reginald Howell of Good Shepherd Community Church was brutally beaten by a Hindu extremist group in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan. According to The Voice of the Martyrs sources, Pastor Howell went to Hanumangarh to pray for the sick and visit Christians in the area. The pastor was beaten with an iron rod and suffered severe injuries on his back. The police refused to register his complaint and as a result, doctors denied him treatment. Rajasthan State has a so-called "Freedom of Religion Bill," that is used as a tool to harass Christians. VOM sources report cases of anti-Christian attacks in the area keep increasing, and the State Administration turns a blind eye to the persecution.

• ANDRA PRADESH - On March 11, 2007, Pastor Anand visited a village to attend services. He was attacked by more than 10 men from a Hindu radical group. Local police who arrived at the location of the attack did not protect him, resulting in further beatings. Pastor Anand was beaten on his face and legs with wooden logs until the early hours of the next morning.

Continued Persecution of Christians in India  – Persecution. com
Maharashtra: A local house-church pastor has been falsely accused of forcibly trying to convert a villager. A few months ago a villager asked the pastor to pray for her mentally handicapped daughter. For more than three months, the villager attended Sunday worship services conducted by the pastor and when the daughter's condition did not improve, she falsely accused the pastor of pressuring her to convert to Christianity. The pastor is living in fear of imminent arrest.

Himachal Pradesh: It has been reported that more than 100 Christian converts have been forced to return to Hinduism under the new Himachal Pradesh Anti-Conversion Law passed on February 19, 2007. VOM sources report the law has emboldened Hindu radicals to launch an anti-Christian campaign. Christians are coerced and forced to renounce their Christianity and embrace Hinduism.

• Andra Pradesh: Pastor Goda Israel was missing after attending a prayer meeting on February 17, 2007. His family and church members reported his disappearance to the police, but they did not take any action. After three days, Pastor Israel's body was found in a Canal. Pastor Israel was a pastor for more than two churches.

• Karnataka: There has been more violence against Christians in Karnataka. Police recently harassed believers demanding to know the location of the leader of a prayer ministry. The police alleged he was a terrorist from Sri Lanka. Police officers severely beat three Christians when they could not tell the Christian leader's location. Police gave them a strict warning and wanted them to turn the pastor in. Pray God will heal the injured believers as they receive treatment in a hospital.

• Orissa: Christians continue to face persecution in Eastern India. On February 22, 2007, radical Hindu forces demolished a church which was under construction in the Niladeri Bihar slum. Christians living in the slum are being intimidated and threatened by the radicals.

Chhattisgarh: It has been brought to our attention that in last week's prayer update on India, only 30-35 Hindu extremists attacked a pastor's conference in Raipur, Chhattisgarh on February 2, 2007. The conference was attended by 80 delegates including four foreigners. The attackers stole two laptops, four mobile phones, three digital cameras and 15000-16000 rupees (about $350 US dollars).

Pastor's Conference Attacked by Hindu Militants

Christian Martyred for Christ – Persecution. com

• On February 2, a pastor's conference in Raipur, Chhattisgarh state was attacked by about 100-500 members of the Hindu militant group Dharam Sena. At least 10 Christian leaders were injured and property and money stolen. Pray God heals all those injured and that believers remain faithful.

• On Saturday, February 10, 58-year-old Christian, S. Stanley, was stabbed and killed by rioting youth in front of his house in Pavaloor, Kerala State, India. Youths assembled in front of his house shouting blasphemous abuses against Christians. When Stanley and his wife asked the youths to leave, they became angry and stoned the house. While Stanley was inside the house calling the police, the attackers climbed over the locked gate, entered the house and stabbed him several times on his back, neck and stomach. His wife was also assaulted, VOM contacts said.

Christian Dies after Being Thrown from Train in India – Persecution/ Asia News
On January 12, Bansi Lal died after being thrown from a train in the Devas district of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is believed that Lal was returning from a Pentecostal meeting when he was thrown off the train. While police quickly ruled his death a suicide, Indian Christians believe his death was caused by members of a militant Hindu youth organization. Lal converted to Christianity two years ago and since then had received threats.

Attacked for Christmas and New Year Services – Persecution. com
On January 7, 2007, Pastor Gabriel was attacked and beaten by Hindu extremists because he held Christmas and New Year services. The attackers were infuriated believers gathered to sing and pray to a "foreign God-Jesus." Pastor Gabriel sustained head injuries that have resulted in him losing his sight. Meanwhile, believers who were on their way to visit Pastor Gabriel in the hospital were involved in a car accident and incurred severe injuries.

Indian State Passes Anti-Conversion Bill; Evangelist Attacked – Compass Direct
On December 30, 2006, the congress party passed the Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Bill, where only 8,000 of the more than 6 million people are Christian. Under the anti-conversion bill, any person found forcibly converting another person could be imprisoned for up to two years and/or fined up to 25,000 rupees ($565 US). Meanwhile on January 2, 2007, an evangelist and three Christian brothers were beaten by Hindu radicals after being falsely charged with forced conversion. They all sustained internal injuries.

Indian Church Burnt; Christians Arrested – Compass Direct
On December 23, 2006, Hindu extremists burned down a church and disrupted services in several Indian states. They continued their harassment and arrested carol singers on Christmas Eve. In a separate event, a pastor and 10 other missionaries were beaten and arrested for singing carols. They were later released. In another incident, Hindu extremist group, Bajrang Dal, attacked 20 Christians gathered in a church. "They stormed into the church, beat some of the Christians and destroyed hymnbooks and Bibles. Five Christians were injured in the attack, three suffered hearing loss due to a blow to the head, and a Bible a school student's hand was fractured."

Arrest of Hindu Extremist Leads to Retaliation – Compass Direct
On December 5, police in Honavar, a coastal town in Karnataka state, arrested a member of the Hindu extremist group Bajrang Dal for assaulting a Christian evangelist. Later that day, when Mayaeshak Baila, was waiting for a bus after attending a prayer meeting, a Bajrang Dal member spoke to him and asked him extensively about his activities. "When he realized I was a Christian, he slapped and hit me with his fists on my face and head," Baila said. "Then he threw me down on the road and continuously kicked me on my ribs, stomach and back." Also that same day, two other Bajrang Dal members assaulted Joseph Lopes and Agnel Dias, who were visiting Christian homes in Honavar village.

Faithful Christian Worker Killed – Compass Direct
Two unidentified militants recently killed a Christian convert from Islam on a busy road in Mamoosa village in the terror-stricken state of Jammu and Kashmir. Bashir Ahmed Tantray, a 50-year-old engineer, was shot dead apparently by Islamist militants as he stood at a busy bus stand near his parents' house. Tantray, who had accepted Christianity about a decade ago and had been an active Christian worker ever since, is survived by his wife, two daughters and two sons. A local Christian source said. "There is no doubt among the people, both Christian and Muslim, here that he was killed because of his identity as a Christian worker."

Killer of Driver Sentenced to Life in Prison – Compass Direct
A court in Gujarat state has handed Pravinbhai Madhavlal Patel a sentence of life imprisonment--a maximum of 14 years, under Indian law--for killing his Catholic driver for asking for an advance in pay. On Christmas Eve of 2004, the Catholic driver, Robinson Joseph Swami, asked Patel for 500 rupees (US $11), the amount due him, plus an advance of 700 rupees (US $16) to celebrate Christmas. Patel got so furious that he brought some petrol in a container, poured it on Swami and lit a matchstick.

Director of Christian Orphanage Threatened – Persecution. com
Pastor C. S. John directs an orphanage with about 50 children in Lakkavalli in Karnataka state. Recently, two men knocked on the gate of his house, and when a friend who was recovering from cancer, came out to explain that Pastor John was away, the sick man was assaulted. Later, Pastor John's mother was told they were planning to beat up her eldest son and keep Christians from entering the church.

Dalit Christians Forced to Bow to Hindu Idols – Compass Direct
Lambini tribal villagers in Karnataka state prohibited Pastor Revanna Naik and his congregation from worshiping on Sunday, October 29, instead forcing them to bow down and worship Hindu deities. Three of the 11 Christian families at the church in the remote village in Chitradurga district refused to bow before the idols or partake of the prasad offering that would indicate allegiance to the Hindu deities. The local council chief ordered the village to ostracize those families. This stigma of being ostracized will crush the very spirit of the Lambani, who are very clan-oriented people. On November 6, Hindu extremists forced Christians in a remote village in southern Karnataka to bow down before Hindu deities. The Christians were marched to the village temple, forced to bow down before the Hindu gods and had the vermilion mark applied to their foreheads. A police inspector only watched this violation of the Christians' rights.

Pastor Arrested for Selling Books in Gospel Meeting Venue – Persecution. com
Pastor Amit Kumar Raul of Cuttack was arrested on October 26 for causing communal disharmony. He was selling books in the venue where a gospel meeting was held in Udaigiri, Phulbhani. The radical Hindus with the support of police arrested Amit Kumar Raul for causing disharmony. They have also booked cases against Bishop Pramananda Nayak, Sachin Kanto and S. Nayak, the organizers of the Gospel meeting. The cases are registered in Baliguda police station. The Magistrate Quarters rejected the bail application of Amit Kumar Raul.

New Believer Arrested, Urged to Frame Pastor - Compass Direct
Police on October 26th arrested a recent convert in Mayapuri, Madhya Pradesh state for the second time in three days in an apparent attempt to pressure him to give evidence that his pastor forcibly converted him. By nightfall, the new believer was charged with "insulting religious beliefs." The police detained Ramesh Thakur, 37, after having arrested him on October 24, and releasing him the next day after intense questioning. The pastor of his church in Ujjain district, Jagdish Bharti, is already fighting charges of "insulting religious beliefs." The officer-in-charge of the Dewas Gate police station, R.R. Malvi, told a church member that he was under tremendous political pressure to charge Thakur. Viju Varghese, Global Council of Indian Christians co-ordinator in Madhya Pradesh, told Compass that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh had offered Thakur 25,000 rupees (US$552) to implicate Pastor Bharti in a charge of "allurement" to convert.

Christians Dismissed from Operating Health Care Center - Compass Direct
Accusing a Christian-run health center of forcible conversions, the Chhattisgarh state government has ordered the takeover of the facility and fired 17 of its employees. On October 10, Hindu extremist Bharatiya Janata ordered the takeover of Integrated Child Development Services in Lundra village. The government program had been assigned in 1995 to the Raigarh-Ambikapur Health Association, a Catholic voluntary health service, and they will approach the Bilaspur High Court for a stay order.

Youth Abducted, Tortured for Receiving Christ – Compass Direct
On October 4th, Hindu extremists in Orissa state abducted a Christian youth from his house. They tortured and tonsured him (shaved his head), allegedly to punish him for accepting Christianity. Ranjan Dangua remained missing at press time.

Hindu Extremists Attacked Four Christians – Compass Direct

Hindu extremists in the Southern state of Andhra Pradesh attacked at least four Christians in the last three weeks, including a beating of three Dalits and a threat to have their government benefits withdrawn. On September 29th, a group of Hindu extremists barged into a church in Nizamabad district and manhandled Pastor Kavalla Shadrak late in the evening. On September 22nd, a mob of about 40 people surrounded three Dalit Christians in Nandiwaddeman village while three people beat them. When the church pastor went to the village head to report the attack, he refused to listen to him – then allegedly held a meeting with village elders to accuse him of forcibly converting the villagers.

Pastor Ambushed by Hindu Mob – Persecution. com
Pastor Bhadikar Barshi was on his way to conduct a regular service at his house in the Barshi area of Solapur district in Maharashtra state on July 5th, when two youths approached him. Asking him to join them in a prayer for a friend who had been suffering from a sickness over the past 15 years, the young men walked alongside the pastor for some time until a Hindu mob ambushed him. He was violently struck with wooden clubs all over his body and received a deep gash on his right eye. After hospital treatment, including stitches on his forehead, he was released and remains faithful to his ministry.

Muslim Militants in India Attack Christian Missionary School – Persecution. com

Recently a mob of around 250 Muslim militants attacked the Good Shepherd Mission School in Kashmir state, destroying the boundary wall and damaging the school building and equipment. A national newspaper has named the Dutch missionary director, Fr. Borst, as one of a handful of people encouraging Muslims to convert to Christianity, and officials have attempted to expel him from India.

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INDONESIA

Recently, Muslims closed a church and blocked Christians from entering and holding services in Jatimula, Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in Indonesia, "Muslims blocked the alley leading to the church building. Pastor Anna and Huta Julu had to lead worship outside their church building and believers had to sit in the dirty alley to pray outside their church." VOM contacts added, "The sign outside the church building stated, ‘This church building is sealed,’ and it was written on a letterhead belonging to the Tambun Selatan district of Bekasi local government." This is the second time Muslims have closed the church in Bekasi. The church was first closed on September 10, 2005, when a mob of 100 Muslims nailed boards over doors and windows and prohibited believers from entering the building.

Imprisoned Christians Sentenced - VOM Sources
The remaining Christian leaders imprisoned in April have been sentenced to five years in prison. They were imprisoned after a video recording of them praying for Muslims was leaked to Islamic organizations. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in Indonesia, "The defendants have been found guilty of abusing the Quran, and the judge sentenced them to five years in prison. Their lawyers are planning to appeal this decision in East Java High Court in Surabaya."

Imprisoned Christians Charged - VOM Sources
More than 40 Christian leaders imprisoned in April, after a video recording of them praying for Muslims was leaked to Islamic organizations, have been charged under Article 156 KUPH. Under article 156 and 156a, anyone who expresses hatred, opposition or insults one individual or groups of Indonesian citizens in public, will be imprisoned four to five years, or fined 4,500 rupiah. Muslims claim Christians blasphemed the Koran by placing it on the floor and praying for millions of people deceived by it. The Islamic organizations consider the videos content abusive and have released the video to the media. Among the imprisoned are parents of young children.

Three Sunday School Teachers Released from Prison -VOM Sources/ Compass Direct News
Praise God! Dr. Rebekka, Mrs. Eti and Mrs. Ratna have been released after two years in prison. We rejoice and thank you for your prayers. According to Compass Direct News, a crowd had gathered to welcome the women as they walked free from Indramayu district prison in West Java. An eyewitness told Compass, "The women appeared happy and peaceful as they emerged from the prison gates. All three said they had no fear for the future and were convinced that God would protect and guide them forward."

Indonesian Christians Attacked; Church Closed – Persecution. com
On February 11, 2007, a Moslem mob stormed Indonesia Bethel Church, in Majalaya, disrupting the service and beating church members. More than 50 Islamic extremists raided the church building and ordered the congregation to leave. Church members were threatened, beaten, and asked to show their identity cards. During the raid, a cell phone belonging to a church member, offerings, an important building permit and pictures of Jesus Christ were stolen. The militants insulted believers and said Indonesia was a Muslim nation. Hours after the attack at Indonesia Bethel Church, the same Islamic extremists marched to Baranangsiang and closed a church there.

Muslim Mob Attack House Church – Persecution. com
This week 50 Muslim fundamentalists stormed a house church in an Indonesian village, questioning the use of the house for church services. According to VOM sources the mob raided the house disrupting the service and smashing a keyboard. Christians in the village are afraid and leaders are considering moving the house church to another area.

Christian Dragged from Bus and Stabbed – Persecution. com
Religious tension continues to escalate on the island of Sulawesi where armed Muslim militants blockaded a road in Poso on October 1st and stopped a bus. They forced five passengers from the bus and stabbed an unidentified Christian man. Police arrived before there were any further injuries. The victim was admitted to a hospital with serious injuries to his back. The same day a mob also burned a partially constructed church building on the island. It is believed these attacks may be attempts by militant Muslim factions to further stir up religious tension between the Muslim and Christian communities.

Muslim Mob Reduces Church to Ashes – Persecution. com

Infuriated by reports that Christians were scheduling revival meetings at the Indonesia Evangelical Mission Church in Aceh province, a militant Islamic mob set the worship center ablaze on September 1st. Local Muslims from the town of Siompi, which was the first in Indonesia to implement Shariah law, reduced the building to ashes in an attempt to wipe out those in their province not bowing down to Allah.. Church members have moved their worship services to a local house, as they refuse to buckle under Muslim attacks.

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IRAN

June 2008

UPDATE: Christian Converts Released from Prison – Compass Direct News
Praise God! Homayon Shokohie Gholamzadeh (48), an Iranian Christian convert arrested on May 11 by police in the city of Shiraz, was released from prison on May 22. According to Compass Direct News, Gholamzadeh was taken into custody with his wife and another couple before boarding a flight at Shiraz International Airport. On June 2, Mojtaba Hussein (21), another Iranian Christian convert from Islam arrested on May 11, was released from prison. According to Compass Direct, the authorities demanded valuable property deeds as bail collateral for the release of the two believers. Praise God for the release of these believers.

Increased Persecution against Christians -VOM Sources
The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in Iran report increased persecution for Christians in Iran. Several Christians have been imprisoned, interrogated and threatened. VOM sources said, Iranian security forces prompted by the Islamic leadership and Iranian president are trying to wipe out Christianity in Iran. They are angry many Iranian Muslims are choosing to follow Christ.

New Wave of Persecution in Iran - VOM Sources
On June 19, 2007, The Voice of the Martyrs confirmed reports that believers in Iran are being detained, interrogated and in one case, imprisoned, because of their faith in Jesus Christ. According to VOM sources, this new wave of persecution is coming against Christians who meet to worship God in the privacy of their homes. VOM sources said, We have confirmed reports that several believers have been interrogated and one house was stormed by an elite police team that confiscated a computer, several CDs and Christian materials. A Christian was arrested in this attack, and remains in prison. Pray believers in Iran will remain steadfast in their faith despite this new wave of persecution. Pray for the release of the believer in prison and for protection for all Christians in Iran. Psalm 27:1-31, Joshua 1:8-9

Christian Couple Flee Persecution in North Iran – Persecution. com
A Christian couple who led more than 200 church members in a Northern city in Iran have had to flee to a bigger city in order to continue their ministry. After becoming Christians they led their friends and family to the Lord and started a Bible study. Within a year it had grown to a church of 50 people and in two years they had 200 believers. The church spread to more than 10 cities and they started training 24 others to evangelize and continue building up the Body of Christ. "It was during this time that my wife and I noticed the government had found out about us and was pursuing us. We were in constant danger and threat of being arrested," the pastor said.

Secret Police Arrest Leaders of "Jesus Only" Movement – Compass Direct
On Sunday, December 10, Iranian secret police began to raid and arrest leaders of the Islamic republic's indigenous "Jesus Only" movement, arriving unannounced in the early morning hours to search their homes in Tehran, Karaj, Rasht and Bandar-i Anzali. For five days, several members of the house-church movement were called in for a day or more of interrogations and then released. But eight remain under arrest, including one woman. According to one source, those arrested have been told they face 10 accusations, including evangelization activities and actions against the national security of Iran.

Kidnappers Murder Church Elder – Compass Direct
Yesterday, grieving Christians in Iraq's northern city of Mosul completed three days of mourning for a murdered Presbyterian Church elder, only hours before another Iraqi clergyman was grabbed off the streets of Baghdad. (He has since been released.) Identified only as 69-year-old Elder Munthir, the murdered Christian had been kidnapped after leading worship services at the National Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Mosul on November 26. His body was found four days later. According to one Mosul source who described the kidnappers' conversations, "They said, 'We will cut his throat. We will take revenge for the Pope's words ... We will kill all the Christians, and we will start with him.'" In Baghdad, the Chaldean Catholic Patriarchate confirmed that another clergyman - Father Samy Abdulahad - was kidnapped from his car as he left his church in the Al-Sinaa district of the capital, near the University of Technology.

Three Desperate Situations  – Persecution. com
(1) Two sisters were summoned and given a last warning not to evangelize.  They believe God has called them and feel led to stay in their city and continue evangelizing.

(2) A young Kurdish man was arrested on October 28, and since a phone call he made on the 30th, no one has heard from him.

(3) A 19-year-old believer serving in the army was arrested for evangelizing and tortured for two days. They released him after he signed a written confession that he would no longer evangelize. He is emotionally distraught. 

Christian Couple Released on Bail – Compass Direct
After nine days in secret police custody, Reza Montazami and his wife, Fereshteh Dibaj, were released on bail this morning by order of a Revolutionary Court in Mashhad, Iran. Montazami's elderly parents posted bail for the detained Christian couple, turning over the title deed for property worth $25,000. Within hours, Montazami and his wife were allowed to return home. Although no specific charges against the Christian couple have been made public, the file on their case reportedly remains open.

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Christian Killed by Militants in Baghdad - Compass Direct News
On June 12, Fouad Salim was killed by Muslim militants in Baghdad while leaving the police station where he worked. According to Compass Direct News, Salima's family believes he was killed because he refused to convert to Islam. He had informed his family that anonymous people he believed to be Muslim militants had been threatening to kill him if he did not convert. Salim is survived by his wife and two children less than six years of age.

Kidnapped Clergyman Released After Six Days – Compass Direct
A Chaldean priest kidnapped in front of his Baghdad home last week was released on December 10. Father Samy Abdulahad Al-Raiys was freed six days after he had been abducted while driving to his parish in Baghdad's Al-Sinaa Street near the University of Technology.

Assyrian Christian Boy Beheaded – Assyrian International News Agency (AINA)
The AINA has reported that a 14-year-old Assyrian boy, Ayad Tariq, was beheaded by Muslim militants in Baqouba, Iraq, on October 21. Ayad was beginning his shift of maintaining an electrical generator when a group of disguised Muslim militants approached him and asked to see his identification. When the Muslims saw his identification and noted he was a "Christian," they (called him) a "dirty Christian sinner!" They then threw him to the ground, held down his arms and legs, shouting "Allah Akbar!" (God is great), and beheaded him.

Churches Attacked Following Pope's Comments – Persecution. com
On September 24th, two churches were attacked by militants. First, a bomb was detonated beneath a car belonging to the priest of the Assyrian Orthodox Church of St. Mary in Baghdad. Shortly after, another blast occurred in the vicinity, killing a church security guard and wounding several others. On the same day, about 80 gun shots struck the Chaldean Church of the Holy Spirit in Mosul and two days later the same church was bombarded by rockets. After Pope Benedict's comments about Islam, Christians have endured increased violence at the hands of Muslims.

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JORDAN

Government Expels Christian Missionaries - Compass Direct News
The government in Jordan has admitted it expelled missionaries for "illegal" activities. According to Compass Direct News, "On February 20, Acting Foreign Minister, Nasser Judeh, told the Jordanian parliament that authorities had expelled missionaries operating 'under the cover of doing illegal charitable work.'" The expulsions violated Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which Jordan adopted in 2006. According to Compass, recent expulsions included two Egyptian pastors married to Jordanian women. "On February 10, authorities expelled an Egyptian pastor with the Assemblies of God church in Madaba, one of five evangelical denominations registered with the government. Married to a Jordanian citizen, and the father of two children, Sadeq Abdel Nour was handcuffed and blindfolded and taken to the port city of Aqaba. There he was placed on a ferry to Egypt. The previous week an Egyptian pastor from a Baptist church in Zarqa was also arrested, held for three days and also returned to Egypt by ship from the port city of Aqba," the Compass report added.

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KAZAKHSTAN

KENYA

Kenyan Churches Targeted in Letter Sent to Bishop – Compass Direct
Christians at Nairobi Pentecostal Church (NPC) began a three-day fast yesterday after a letter written to their bishop warned of an imminent attack on Christian radio station Hope FM. The threat comes seven months after a raid on the station, which is on church property, left one person dead. NPC Bishop Boniface Adoyo called for the fast in a letter read to church members, saying the threatening letter also mentioned other churches targeted for attack. On May 12, unidentified gunmen stormed the station, killed a guard, injured three others and torched part of the building after a regular broadcast aired comparing teachings of the Bible with those of the Quran.

Released Laotian Pastors Express Gratitude - VOM Sources
On August 14, The Voice of the Martyrs received a letter from Laotian Pastor Khamphuy, who was released from prison in May. Pastor Khamphuy wrote, "As one of 12 prisoners released in May, all of us want to express our appreciation for your prayers and support while we were in prison. Our wives told us that you sent help to our families and bought food and medicines for us. Thank you for sustaining our families while we were in prison." Pastor Khamphuy and 11 other pastors were arrested after attending a Christian meeting on November 21, 2006. After the release of nine in May, three pastors still remain imprisoned. Khamphuy added, "Please continue to pray for Pastors Amkha, Bua and Van Thong and their families." The Voice of the Martyrs encourages you to continue praying for the pastors in prison.

Believers Forced to Pay Village Leader for Being a Christian - VOM Sources
The head of Nam Thuam village has set a rule that people in his village cannot become Christian. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts, anyone who converts to Christianity has to pay 500,000 Kip (about $52 U.S.) or their family will be evicted from the village. Three families have accepted Christ and they do not have money to pay the leader of the village.

Nine Laotian Pastors Released, Three Still in Prison – Persecution. com
Nine of the 11 pastors imprisoned with Pastor Van Thong more than five months ago have been released. Meanwhile, Pastor Van Thong and two other pastors are still in prison.

Seven Families Expelled From Their Homes – Persecution. com
On May 15, government authorities expelled seven of 10 Christian families from their village in Laos, and transported them to another village 12 hours away. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts, the authorities told the families, "If you want to continue believing in Jesus' religion, you need to leave this village and go live in a village where there are Christians." The husbands were forced into vehicles while the wives were working in the rice paddies and this has resulted in chaos. The families are separated and are having difficulties adjusting at the new village because their tools, utensils and belongings are at the old village.

Christians Arrested – Persecution. com

• In North Central Laos, on January 18, five police officers showed up at a Christian brother's home and arrested him. VOM sources have known him and his family for 20 years. His wife and 12-year-old son did not get an opportunity to speak to him before he was taken away. All efforts to locate him or allow his wife to know where he is being detained have been unsuccessful. According to VOM contacts, in several similar incidents, the people taken by police were never found alive. Pray for this family, that has led more than 500 people to Christ in the past two years.

Christian Homes Destroyed in Fire – Persecution. com
Twenty Christian families in Khmu village lost their homes and bamboo church in an accidental fire. About 150 people are in urgent need of blankets, mattresses, clothing and building materials. Relief supplies are on the way from a ministry in Laos which is helping these believers. Khmu Christians in Laos already have many difficulties because they follow Jesus; this recent fire adds extra burdens. Pray for God's provision for these families, especially since it is winter in Laos.

Pastors Arrested – Persecution. com

On November 26, 2006, Pastor Van Thong and 11 other pastors were arrested after attending religious meetings in Vientiane Province, Laos. Van Thong, who heads the Lao Evangelical Church in his province, has been denied visitors and is being held at Thong harp Prison indefinitely.

MALAYSIA

Christians Face Persecution - VOM Sources
The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in Malaysia have received information that they are being investigated by Malaysian police for sharing the gospel with Muslims. VOM sources reported, An individual in one of the villages where we have led many Muslims to Jesus reported us to the police. The police have interrogated a family living in the house we have ministered in and have collected evidence against us. It is not clear how many new believers in the area are being persecuted.

Church Demolished By Authorities - VOM Sources
On June 8, 2007, government authorities demolished a church belonging to the Orang Asli tribe of indigenous Christians in Kuala Lumpur. The authorities claimed the church was built without state permission. However, according to a local church leader, the land is owned by a village head and they have the lawful right to use it as they wish. Local Christians have rejected the district offices suggestion to rebuild a community center at another location and intend to rebuild the church in its original location. Pray these believers will continue to meet for worship and prayer while the church is being rebuilt. Pray for encouragement and protection for all Christians in Malaysia. Romans 8:28-31, Isaiah 54:17

Militants Drop Claim to Ex-Muslim's Body – Compass Direct
Islamic authorities in Malaysia gave up their claim to the body of a Muslim convert yesterday, ending a nine-day dispute with the family. Authorities had planned to give Rayappan Anthony a Muslim burial despite his conversion to Christianity. The 71-year-old Rayappan (his surname, first in order for names in Malaysia), died on November 29. When Rayappan's family tried to claim his body for burial on November 30, officers from the Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (JAIS) stepped in, claiming that Rayappan was a Muslim; they produced a document issued by JAIS dated June 2005, to substantiate their claim, though the National Registration Department had issued him an identity card in 2000, showing him as Christian. Rayappan's family said he had returned to Christianity in 1999, and was a Christian at the point of his death.

Rumored Baptisms Spark Protest by Muslims – Compass Direct
Tensions are high against Christians in Malaysia. A protest by Muslims began because of a text message which claimed a Catholic church would baptize a group of Malay Muslims. Muslims gathered in front of a Catholic church in Ipoh, Perak state, on November 5 to protest the rumored baptisms. As it turned out, the rumor of the baptisms was false. The church members stayed inside the church until the protestors left.

NIGERIA

Muslim Officials Dismiss Christian School Librarian - Compass Direct News
Sixteen months ago, Muslim officials forced Asabe Ladagu, a Christian widow, to leave her job as a librarian. The incident occurred after she and others requested land to build a chapel in the capital city of Borno state, in northern Nigeria. According to Compass Direct News, Muslim administrators at Ramat Polytechnic forced Ladagu into early retirement without pay. Ladagu told Compass, "We were branded dangerous people because we were Christians. I have been forced out of office now for 16 months, not retired and not on staff roll of Ramat Polytechnic. Other Christian brethren, too, have either been forced out or have been the subjects of witch hunts."

Christians Killed by Muslims; Hundreds Displaced in Kano, Nigeria – VOM Sources
On September 28, angry Muslims killed 10 Christians and set churches, homes and businesses on fire in Tudun Wada, in Nigeria's Northern state of Kano. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts in Nigeria, "At 9 a.m., Muslims began the attacks, setting fire to homes and churches. They attacked and killed any Christian they came across." More than 50 people were injured, while more than 500 members of the minority Christian population were displaced. VOM contacts added, "Muslim attackers burnt down all eight churches existing in the community, homes and businesses in the area." Christians believe the attack resulted when Muslim students at a government secondary school in the area claimed a Christian student drew a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad on the wall of the school's mosque. VOM contacts reported, "No Christian student would do this, since the school has nearly 2,000 students and only seven are Christian.... [also] the mosque is usually busy with Muslims praying around the clock during the (Muslim) Ramadan fasting season; therefore, no Christian student would have any way of getting close to the wall of the mosque to make such sketches on the wall."

Christians in Northern Nigeria Threatened and Forced Underground - Compass Direct News
Death threats and other dangers have driven most of the Muslim-background members of a church in Northern Nigeria underground. However, three members have remained. According to Compass Direct News, "Of the 25 converts who formed a church in the northeastern state of Borno two years ago, only three remain. Still while worshipping separately in towns where they reside, once a month the converts brave the threats of Islamic extremists and family members to return to Maiduguri to secretly pray and praise together." Rev. Titus Doma Pona, the founder and pastor of an underground fellowship in Northern Nigeria, told Compass, "The venue and time is agreed among themselves, and the venue is also changed every meeting, so that they are not attacked.". These recent reports of persecution in Northern Nigeria reflect the trials believers endure. Churches have been burned and the abduction and forcible conversion of teenagers by Muslims has become common.

Christians Attacked while Rebuilding Burnt Church – Compass Direct
Christians in Nasarawa state were attacked by more than 200 Islamists as they were trying to rebuild a Reformed Church building that Muslims burnt down two years ago. The Nasarawa state government has since banned reconstruction of the facility. The church was planted more than a century ago by missionaries.

Two Christian Converts from Islam Fleeing Persecution – Religion Today
Idris Aliyu received Christ's salvation in March after reading the Gospel of Luke account of the resurrection. Mohammed Sarajo became a Christian 12 years ago after a miraculous healing saved him from death. The disparate paths of the two former Nigerian Muslims, however, have put them on the same road - fleeing from those who want to kill them.

Young Christian Woman Eight Months in Hiding after Escape from Stoning – Compass Direct
Eight months after she escaped from a judgment by officials in Sokoto to be stoned to death for "blasphemy," 22-year-old Ladi Muhammed is still in hiding.

Muslim Rioters Destroy 18 Churches – Persecution. com

Nearly 5,000 Christians were displaced and six were injured on September 20th, when Muslim rioters destroyed at least 18 churches, 20 Christian homes, and 40 Christian shops in Dutse, Jigawa state. After a Muslim young man made several unsuccessful advances on a female Christian, he angrily reacted by calling her a "fake Christian" who follows a "useless Jesus." She responded by telling the boy he followed "a useless prophet." Furious, the boy raised an alarm through the town, proclaiming a Christian lady blasphemed Muhammad. She was taken to the local police station and kept in custody to diffuse the potentially volatile situation.

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NORTH KOREA

Evangelist Executed for Bible Distribution – Persecution/ World Bible Distribution
A North Korean evangelist has been executed for possessing and distributing a Korean New Testament.  World Bible Translation Center has confirmed the incident, even though the details of the death are not available.

Christians Need our Prayers and Support – Persecution. com
There is a spiritual war taking place in North Korea as our enemy seeks to destroy the souls of North Korea's citizens.  Following "the God of Heaven" is considered treason, punishable by imprisonment or even death. Caught in the middle of this spiritual battle are our persecuted brothers and sisters, bearers of Light in a terribly dark country. 

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PAKISTAN

On June 21, 16 Christians were abducted by Muslim extremists when they gathered to pray in Academy Town, Peshawar, Pakistan. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts in Pakistan, "Salamat Masih and 30 of his family and close friends were gathered to pray and celebrate the birth of his daughter, when 12 Taliban [members] of the Lashka-e-Islam group broke into his house yelling and shouting. They held the believers at gunpoint. The Muslim house-owner, Haji Muhammad Saraj, was also present at the time to collect rent." VOM contacts added, "With machine and automatic guns, they forcibly separated the men from the women and children. Slapping the Christian men, they commanded all 16 men, including Pastor Zulifqar and Haji Muhammad Saraj, to get into the five waiting vehicles." The 16 Christian men were held captive for an hour. "They were beaten and abused, and had all their money and mobile phones stolen from them. During this time, the Taliban attempted to persuade Pastor Zulifqar to convert to Islam, which he unquestionably refused. After sunset the Taliban took them to another place where they were kept in a cave until their release 10 hours later," VOM contacts reported.

Christian Homes Demolished in Pakistan - VOM Sources
On October 19, local Muslims demolished homes belonging to three Christian families in the village of Lobhana, near Lahore, Pakistan. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts, more than 70 armed villagers moved in with tractors and began destroying the homes. VOM contacts said, "They demolished and looted three homes and only stopped when the police arrived." Some of the Christians attacked reported that the Muslims threatened to kill them. VOM contacts added that the land where some of the demolished homes were located had been given to the Christian families by the Pakistani government more than 10 years earlier. However, some local Muslims claimed the land, intending to build a cemetery.

Religious Minorities Told to Convert or Die - VOM Sources
Christians in northern Pakistan have been receiving letters threatening them with death if they refuse to become Muslims. The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts in Pakistan report Peshawar's minorities are living in fear after receiving dozens of letters mailed to them in August. VOM contacts report, "There have been numerous threats sent to Peshawar's Kohati area. The letters say if we don't become Muslim we will be killed."

Christians Experiencing Hardship After Red Mosque Attack, Christian Attacked – VOM Sources
The Voice of the Martyrs has received information that Christians are experiencing increased hardships after the attacks at the Red Mosque last month. In an unrelated incident in July, a VOM contact, who is a Muslim convert; was attacked by three strangers while he was sleeping in a hotel room. Attackers tried to kill him, but God saved his life. He sustained some wounds to his body and they are healing.

Pakistani Jail Officials Beat Christian, Halt Bible Classes – Compass Direct News
Pakistani officials have stopped all Bible classes for Christian prisoners in a Punjab jail, isolating an inmate who taught the classes and barring a local pastor from his weekly visits. Compass Direct News reports, "Protestant Pastor Munir Phool has been refused entry to Kasur city's district jail for his weekly visits since June 25, when Catholic prisoner Dil Awaiz was put in a high-security cell and tortured. Awaiz told Phool that Muslim inmates became angry when a Christian prisoner drank from one of their water glasses. The authorities retaliated by forcing the Christian prisoner to drink out of a glass used for cleaning toilets. Later, the authorities had Awaiz beaten and thrown in a high-security cell and deprived contact with other Christian prisoners."

Armed Muslims Attack Christians in Pakistan - VOM Sources/ Compass Direct News
On June 17, 40 Muslim men armed with guns, axes and wooden sticks attacked several believers while they were preparing for an evangelistic meeting at a Salvation Army church in the village of Bismillahlpur Kanthan, near Faisalabad. Seven Christians were injured and the church was desecrated. Local Christians said the attack was sparked by their refusal to cancel the meeting. The night before the attack armed Muslims stormed the house of Sawar Masih, one of the meetings organizers, and assaulted his two young children and demanded he cancel the event. Christians injured in the June 17 attack were forced to leave the hospital early because the doctors under-reported their wounds due to pressure from the Islamic extremists. Police initially refused to file a complaint against the attackers and did not so only after lobbying efforts of Christians. Several Christians have fled the area in fear of further attacks.

Evangelists Beaten at Muslim Festival  – Persecution. com
A team of Pakistani Christian evangelists supported by The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) was attacked and beaten Friday, January 26th, after handing out more than 13,000 Christian tracts at a Muslim festival in Pakpattan, Pakistan. Three members of the four-member team were roughed up by radical Muslims then taken to the police station where they were detained and questioned before being released. However, the fourth evangelist, the leader of the team, was badly beaten by a mob of more than 100 angry Muslims, who then dragged him through the crowd before taking him to the police station. He was beaten so severely that he reported blood in his urine and his stool. VOM contacts are taking him to a hospital for medical care.

Evangelists Attacked by Taliban; One Killed; Two Injured – Persecution. com
On January 2, 2007, two evangelists working with Muslim converts in the dangerous Northern areas of Pakistan were attacked by the Taliban. One of the men was shot and killed instantly, two other Muslim friends were wounded and one escaped. The Taliban has since sent threatening calls to one of the evangelists.

Update – Persecution. com

More information regarding the case of Pakistani Christians, Buta and James Masih who were convicted of burning the Koran. James and Buta Masih are elderly men, not a married couple as previously reported. Sources now report they are being held in Faisalabad's Central Jail in isolation.

Christian Couple Sentenced to Fifteen Years for Blasphemy – Persecution. com
On November 26, 2006, two believers were sentenced to 15 years in prison and a fine of 25,000 rupees each for burning the Koran. On October 18, Boota and James Masih, a married couple, were asked to clean a Muslim family's store and burn the garbage when they finished. The two gathered all the garbage in a donkey cart and burned it outside the home. Some Muslim neighbors saw the burning and discovered Koranic papers in the fire. An angry mob gathered and planned to burn Christian homes and churches. Police controlled the mob by arresting James and Boota, even though they are illiterate and did not know the contents of the garbage.

Drunken Mob Vandalizes Church – Compass Direct
On November 12, 2006, armed and drunken Muslims struck two greeters at a Sunday evening service of a church outside Lahore. They returned later to pelt the building with stones and bricks. Ten men broke fluorescent lights and a cross on the outer gate of the Talab Sarai village Nazarene church. Pastor Rafiq Masih told the Center for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) that the Muslim men began to hit greeters who had stopped them earlier from harassing Christian women. The congregation of about 40 families quickly came out of the church, halting the attackers. The Muslim men "had every intention to use the firearms," a CLAAS coordinator reported. Because the Christians didn't respond angrily, the situation did not get worse.

Christian Acquitted on 'Blasphemy' Charges – Compass Direct
On November 10, after eight and a half years in jail on unsubstantiated blasphemy charges, Pakistani Christian Ranjha Masih was acquitted today by the Lahore High Court. He was arrested in May 1998, during a funeral procession for former Catholic Bishop of Faisalabad, John Joseph. Masih was convicted and sentenced to life in prison by a district court in April 2003. At the end of a two-hour appeal hearing on the case, the Presiding Justice ruled that the lack of any solid evidence against Masih required him to issue a release. According to the Lahore-based Center for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement, the former hospital worker will be transferred to a secure, undisclosed location after his release.

Teenage Christian Jailed on False Charges – Persecution. com

A young Pakistani Christian was jailed last week on suspicion of ripping book pages containing Quranic verses. He appealed to Punjabi police because the sole evidence against Shahid Masih, 17, was the testimony of a Muslim man already accused of the same crime. If convicted, Masih will serve a life sentence.

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PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

GAZA             WEST BANK

Gaza Bible Society Worker Murdered – Christian Broadcasting Network
On October 7, 26-year-old Rami Ayyad's body was recovered near the Teachers' Bookshop in the Palestinian territory of Gaza where he worked. His body had stab wounds and bullet holes. According to the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), Ayyad was kidnapped the day before by an unidentified group. CBN quoted the spokesperson for the Palestinian Bible Society, Simon Azazian, who said, "We do not know the exact identity of the group, but we know he was martyred for his faith in Christ." The report added, "Ayyad told co-workers he'd noticed a car with no license plates following him. At 6 p.m. (on Saturday), his wife received a phone call from him saying he'd been taken captive by a group of people and would be home late. A second phone call relayed the same message." Rami is survived by his pregnant wife and two young children.

CHRISTIAN FORCIBLY CONVERTED TO ISLAM - Messianic Jewish Movement International          Hamas-aligned officials at Gaza City's Palestine International University have been accused of forcibly converting one of their female Christian colleagues to Islam.

Sana al-Sayegh, head of the university's Science and Technology Department, disappeared in late June, reported WorldNetDaily. Days later she contacted her family and indicated that she was being held against her will and would have to marry a Muslim man who was also a professor at the university.

Another week passed and the family received a conversion certificate stating that their daughter was now a Muslim. One of the witnesses who signed the document was the university president, a known Islamist with strong ties to Hamas.

When the family complained to the Hamas authorities, they were promptly visited by a group of heavily-armed militants who insisted Sayegh's conversion and marriage had been matters of free will.

Sayegh reportedly returned to work last week, but has not contacted her family. Attempts by the family to contact her new husband have gone unanswered.

Gaza is home to a tiny Christian community of only 2,000, among a Muslim majority of more than one million. When Hamas secured outright control of Gaza in June, the group declared that the area's Christians would have to submit to strict Islamic law.

WEST BANK

May 2008

Pastor's Son Recovering after Bomb Attack - VOM Sources
Praise God! Amiel Ortiz, the teenage son of Messianic Pastor David Ortiz, is recovering after he was seriously injured when a bomb delivered to the family's home in the Jewish settlement went off in his hands. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, Amiel's father reports, "We checked out of the Schneider Children's Hospital last week after a six-week stay, eight days in the ICU and the rest on the children's floor. Ami received excellent care from the doctors and nurses in that hospital, but in response to prayer from the four corners of the earth, Ami has been healing at a rate that is extraordinary The plastic surgeon that worked on Ami said that in his 15 years of experience, he had never seen such extensive wounds. He said he has at least 100 pieces of shrapnel in his body from his head to his feet, which his body is slowly bringing up under the surface of the skin, which will come out by themselves."

April 2008

Pastor's Son Injured in Bombing - VOM Sources
On March 20, Amiel Ortiz, the teenage son of Messianic pastor David Ortiz, was seriously injured when a bomb delivered to the family's home in the Jewish settlement town of Ariel went off in his hands. The explosive was reportedly delivered in one of the gift baskets Jews exchange on the Purim holiday. At last report, Amiel was in serious condition, unconscious and breathing through a respirator. Local Christians suspect the Ortiz family was targeted by militants angered by the family's evangelistic work. Christians in the region face frequent opposition from authorities, Orthodox Jews and Muslims for their efforts to share Christ. Pray for healing for Amiel.

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ROMANIA

SRI LANKA

March 2008

Violence Against Christians Increases - National Christian Evangelical Association of Sri Lanka
On March 4, the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka reported increased threats and attacks against Christians in Sri Lanka.

February 17, 2008 - A mob of 50 people armed with rods attacked members of the King's Revival Church while they were returning from a Sunday worship service in the district of Mathugama, Kaluthata. Four members were assaulted, including a child. The assailants also threatened believers who belonged to the Tamil ethnic group, saying they would be imprisoned if they returned to the church. On February 24, a group of individuals armed with gardening tools gathered on the road near the church building and threatened believers with violence. They prevented them from attending a scheduled service.

March 2, 2008 - Ten students walking from Lunuwila Railway to Believers' Church Bible College in Putlam District were beaten by a group of masked men on motorcycles. Another group of attackers joined in and dragged a student into their van, and severely beat him. When one of the students ran to the college for help, he was followed by a motorcyclist, who attacked the security guard and fled.

Christians Beaten for their "Loud Worship" – Persecution. com
Reports of attacks on churches continue. On November 12, four members of the Prayer Tower church in Anamaduwa were returning from a funeral service when they were attacked by several men. The Christians were beaten and had stones thrown at them. When the pastor of the church reported the incident to the police, the attackers accused the church of disturbing the neighbors with their loud worship.

Mobs Attack Churches – Compass Direct
Buddhist militants attacked two church services in Sri Lanka on November 12 and hit Christian workers returning from a funeral. In the first attack, a mob of some 100 people, including four Buddhist monks, pasted anti-Christian posters in the neighborhood of an Assembly of God church in Yakkala, Gampaha district, and blocked the road leading to the church. Four days later, as a young Christian woman arrived at the pastor's house asking for prayer, a man doused her with a container of burnt oil. In another attack, a mob of about 35 people - including 12 Buddhist monks and a local government official - walked into the Sunday service of a prayer ministry in Kandy district, demanding that the service cease immediately. "We were threatened that if we gathered together for worship again, the building would be flattened," the local pastor said.

New Attacks on Christians – Persecution. com
On October 23, a church worker and his family at Vineyard Community Church in Gonawela, Sri Lanka, were attacked by five men claiming to be police officers. According to a November 3rd report from the National Christian Evangelical Alliance of Sri Lanka (NCEAL), the family was guarding the church building when five men approached at approximately midnight. The five men threatened the family, beat the man with clubs and aggressively shook a child. They also stole a woman's gold necklace, damaged the building's electricity supply and smashed pots and vases. The beaten man sustained serious injuries. A week later the church was again attacked, this time by a group of 10 men. They unsuccessfully tried to set the building on fire. No one was injured in this attack. In another attack on October 30, the pastor of Calvary Chapel of Lanka in Polhena was accosted by a group of local men at approximately 9 a.m. Two or three men beat him while the others looked on. He has been hospitalized for arm injuries.

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SUDAN

TURKEY

Alleged Instigators Named in Malatya Murder; Christians Called to Pray - Compass Direct News
The Turkish media recently discovered an e-mail message sent to Turkish Christian leaders in June, revealing the names of Malatya officials who allegedly plotted to murder three Christians in April. The leaders have submitted the letter to the Malatya prosecutor's office. According to Compass Direct News, "The Firat News Agency (ANF) reported on September 18 that an anonymous e-mail message signed ˜A.A.' had named a colonel in the Malatya gendarmerie along with an Islamic faculty member, as the instigators of the plot to kill three Christians. The ANF article identified the officer as Mehmet Ulger, but gave only the initials of several others. A September 19 article in Birgun newspaper, however, listed the name of the faulty member as Ruhi Babat. It also identified a member of parliament from Malatya, one military commander and another suspect, claiming that the murder conspiracy had been planned for four or five months in advance." Meanwhile, Christian leaders in Turkey have called on Christian congregations to designate each Thursday for prayer and fasting, praying for the upcoming trial and for other cases in Turkish courts dealing with the rights and freedoms of Christians.

Turkish Prosecutor Demands Christians' Acquittal - Compass Direct News
On July 18, a Turkish prosecutor demanded the acquittal of two Christians on trial for "insulting Turkishness," under the nation's controversial Article 301. State Prosecutor Ahmet Demirhuyuk told the court there was "not a single concrete credible piece of evidence" to support the accusations filed against Hakan Tastan and Turan Topal, former Muslims who converted to Christianity more than a decade ago. In court Demirhuyuk said, "There is absolutely no system or practice to consider it a crime for Christians to learn or spread their religion or gather for worship. Exactly the contrary, within the scope of freedom of religion and belief, everyone is guaranteed the right under the constitution and laws of Turkey, to live and spread his chosen faith."

Pray for the Families of Martyred Christians -VOM Sources
Continue to pray for the families and loved ones of three men martyred in Turkey in April. Pray God will heal their hearts and meet their needs. Some Christians have been singled out in media coverage of this case; pray for their protection and God's provision for them. Pray that Muslims in Turkey will be drawn to ask why these three men were willing to die, and through their testimonies will be drawn to faith in Christ. Psalm 68:5

Authorities 'Harass' Orthodox Patriarchate Staff – Compass Direct
Orthodox Christian volunteer workers say that beneath the surface of last week's four-day visit by Pope Benedict XVI was a hard struggle with Turkish authorities. The Turkish Press Ministry, they said, tried to shut down the Holy See Ecumenical Patriarchate press office at least four times, once succeeding in temporarily closing it. Church officials were forced to give up their identification papers at security checkpoints, and local Christians were shut out from the historic meeting between Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Benedict. "My personal outrage from this is because I believe in freedom of religion and the press," said Father Alex Karloutsos, communications assistant for Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew during Benedict's trip. An official from the Turkish Press Ministry, who declined to give her name, denied that the Patriarchate's press office was ever shut down.

Converts Charged Under Speech Law – Compass Direct
A Turkish prosecutor slapped criminal charges against two converts to Christianity earlier this month, accusing them of "insulting Turkishness," inciting hatred against Islam and secretly compiling data on private citizens for a local Bible correspondence course.  Hakan Tastan, 37, and Turan Topal, 46, joined the ranks of 97 other Turkish citizens hauled into court in the last 16 months over alleged violations of the country's controversial Article 301, restricting freedom of speech.  If convicted, the accused could be sentenced from six months to three years.

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TURKMENISTAN

Christian Leader Arrested in Turkmenbashi - Forum 18 News
On May 19, Yevgeny Potolov, head of a Council of Churches Baptist congregation in Turkmenbashi, was detained by police. The police have refused to tell his wife why he is being held in a detention center. They have said the case is being handled by the secret police. Potolov's arrest comes days after Pastor Vyacheslav Kalataevsky was sentenced to three years in a labor camp for his religious activities.

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Imprisoned Pastor Transferred to Harsher Camp - Forum 18 News/ VOM Sources
Imprisoned Pentecostal pastor, Dmitry Shestakov, has been transferred to a harsher labor camp in Navoi, Uzbekistan. The new camp is a longer distance from his wife and three children. In May 2007, Shestakov was sentenced to four years in an open work camp, in Andijan, for "religious activity." Christians in Uzbekistan told Forum 18 News, "The authorities claim he misbehaved in the open work camp and that's why they ordered his transfer to a harsher camp. We believe this was deliberately set up." Forum 18 News reports that Pastor Shestakova's transfer comes as authorities prepare administrative trials against members of his congregation in his home town of Andijan in the Fergana Valley in eastern Uzbekistan. Pray for Pastor Shestakov and his family. Ask God to watch over them during this difficult time. Psalm 32:7, Psalm 91:14-16

Uzbekistan Authorities Admit Arrest of Protestant Pastor – Compass Direct News
Uzbekistan's religious authorities admitted for the first time this week that an Uzbek pastor was arrested last month in the Eastern city of Andijan and now faces criminal charges. Dmitry Shestakov was arrested in a raid on his registered Full Gospel Church during Sunday worship services on January 21. The pastor was charged with operating an illegal religious organization, inciting religious hatred and distributing materials promoting religious extremism. If convicted on these charges, he faces maximum sentences from five to ten years in prison for each separate offense.

Pastor Arrested by Secret Police in Uzbekistan – Compass Direct News/Persecution. com
A pastor was arrested by Uzbek secret police on January 21. During the raid of the Full Gospel Church in Andijan, secret service officers asked Pastor Dmitry Shestakov to step outside with them for five minutes. They then escorted him to the nearest police station. At last report, he was still in police custody. The pastor is accused of "incitement of national, racial and religious enmity," under Article 156 of Uzbekistan's penal code. He could face up to five years in prison if convicted of this charge.

Court Fines Baptists and Burns Bibles – Forum 18
On October 25, following a raid on a Baptist church in the southern Uzbek town of Karshi, two visiting Baptists were given massive fines (45 times the country's minimum monthly salary) each for participating in unregistered religious worship. Four local church members were given smaller fines. The court ordered Bibles and hymnals confiscated during the raid to be burnt, a regular official practice.

VIETNAM

May 2008

Government Officials Confiscate Evangelist's Home - Compass Direct News
Government officials in Vietnam's Lao Cai province have confiscated the land and home of a former opium addict because of his phenomenal success as an evangelist. According to Compass Direct News, "Local Christians report Sua Yinh Siong of Lau Chai village, in Sapa district in the Northwest Mountainous Region, had long been a desperate opium addict, leading to destitution for him and his family. In 2004, after becoming a Christian, Siong broke from his addiction and his animistic past, taking down paraphernalia for ancestor worship and other spirit-related articles and burning them. His joy over his liberation soon spread to others, and eventually more than 200 families also decided to follow Christ." The Compass report added, " Earlier this month, Siong told other Christian leaders that government harassment had reached a crisis point - in April, local and provincial officials had confiscated his land, citing ‘illegal religious activities.' In the first few days of this month, Siong said officials evicted him from his home and threatened to destroy it."

Four Church Leaders Arrested – Persecution. com
Four church leaders from Tuyen Quang province were arrested by border patrol police at the border between China and Vietnam in Ha Giang province. They were on their way home from collecting books and funds for the Pastor Support Program in Vietnam. There is no further information on their arrest.

Police arrest Pastor's family and demolish part of building – Compass Direct News
On January 9, 2007, police raided Rev. Hong Quang's church and residence and arrested 17 people who were having a prayer meeting. While in custody, some believers were threatened, crudely grabbed, led by the hair, slapped on the face and beaten.

Government Plan to Subdue Spread of Protestantism – Christian Solidarity Worldwide
Christian Solidarity Worldwide learned about an internal Vietnamese government training manual, which outlines a plan "to resolutely subdue the abnormally rapid and spontaneous development of the Protestant religion." This plan seeks to dampen the spread of Protestantism among ethnic minorities in the country's northwest highlands.

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ZIMBABWE

Christian Leaders Arrested – Persecution. com
The entire leadership of the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA) and some journalists were arrested during a meeting in Kadoma on January 26. The alliance is involved in a number of measures to support those suffering from the on-going political and economic crisis in Zimbabwe and to work toward a resolution. At least 1000 people gathered in and around a church building to pray for Zimbabwe when armed riot police raided the meeting and arrested the leaders. Eight senior leaders were charged with holding an illegal political meeting. During interrogation, they were accused of working to overthrow President Robert Mugabe. After being interrogated throughout the weekend, the eight were arraigned on January 29 and released on $100,000 Zimbabwe dollars ($415 US) bail each. They are scheduled to appear in court on March 5. Those facing charges are Jonah Gokova, Pastor Raymond Motsi, Pius Wakatama, Pastor Ancelemon Magaya, Pastor Watson Mugabe, Pastor Zvizai Chiponda, Lawrence Berejina and Gerald Mubaiwa.

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