Christian from India Arrested


Riyadh, Saudi Arabia 

On March 25, Brian O'Connor, a Christian from India, was arrested by the Muttawa (religious police) on the streets of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. According to a news release from International Christian Concern, O'Connor was taken to a mosque where he was hung by his legs and they "played football" with him, kicking him in the chest. He was also whipped on his back and the soles of his feet. He has since been taken to the Olaya police station in Riyadh.

Police at the Olaya station claim that he is being held on allegations of preaching Christianity as well as drug-related charges and selling alcohol. These charges come from the Muttawa and police acknowledge that there is no direct proof of these claims. False drug charges are commonly laid against Christians accused of spreading the Gospel in Saudi Arabia. The police also stated that the interrogation is being done by the Muttawa.

Pray for O'Connor's health and endurance. Pray that the charges will be dropped against him.

We encourage Christians to politely raise your concerns about this situation to the government leaders in your country, as well as the Saudi embassies. Contact information is available here.

For more information on the situation facing Christians in Saudi Arabia, click here.

  • Country Information

    Population
    35,939,806 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Arab (90), Afro-Asian (10)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (official: 100)

    Leader
    King and Prime Minister Salman bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (2015)

    Government type
    Absolute monarchy

    Legal system
    Islamic (sharia) legal system with some elements of Egyptian, French, and customary law; note - several secular codes have been introduced; commercial disputes handled by special committees

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Saudi Arabia

    Please uphold the Christians of Saudi Arabia, who must secretly serve God in a country where intolerance and violence pose threats to their freedom of worship and personal belief in our Lord Jesus. May He personally take up their cause, working out His very best plans for their lives and future ( Jeremiah 29:11). Pray that He will touch the hearts of the country's authorities – and many others in Saudi Arabia and its surrounding nations – through the Internet and VOMC's evangelistic radio broadcast so that they may experience His wonderful plan of salvation as well.

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Saudi Arabia News

  • Christian Escapes the Country
    A road in Saudi Arabia - Photo: Unsplash / Abdulla Dhahri

    Over the past several months, Christians around the world have been following reports about a Saudi Arabian Christian referred to as "A" or "Adam." For more information, see our previously published reports, which are available at our country report.

    Read more...

  • Believer's Family Escapes into Exile
    Man praying with mosque in the background
    Pray that Christians will experience the Lord's peace and strength.

    A Christian believer in Saudi Arabia, who was identified in previous Persecution & Prayer Alert reports as "A" or "Adam," has been sentenced with a large fine for allegedly attempting to convert Muslims to Christianity, as well as assisting his sister to flee the country. The accused believer was given 30 days to pay the fine unless an appeal was granted. (For more details about this situation, see this page.)

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  • Believer Faces Hefty Fine for Assisting Others
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    Pray that Saudi believers will know they are never alone.

    A court in Saudi Arabia has recently imposed a hefty fine of 300,000 SAR (which converted equates to approximately $97,000 CAD) on a Christian man who can only be identified as "A" or "Adam" for security reasons. He has been given 30 days to pay the fine unless an appeal is granted within that time.

    Read more...

  • Christian Man's Wife Seized by Opposing Family
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    Pray that "A's" wife and others like her will experience the compassion of our Heavenly Father.

    A Saudi believer identified only as "A" has been facing legal challenges after openly speaking about his conversion to Christianity, as well as assisting his Christian sister to flee the country (read more). While frivolous charges of theft against him were dropped in April (see report here), he continues to endure further court challenges and added personal concerns. His next court hearing is scheduled for May 30th.

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