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In recent months, the Chinese Communist Party has intensified its campaign against some of China's largest unregistered church networks. This crackdown follows years of pressure on congregations such as those belonging to the Early Rain Covenant Church, which has faced major oppression since December 2018. In October 2025, authorities also launched coordinated raids on multiple campuses of the Zion Church network, arresting several church leaders. More recently, similar actions have targeted the Yayang Christian Church and its affiliated congregations.

A 60-year-old pastor and his son, along with seven other Christians, have been arrested on allegations of conducting coerced conversions. The arrests took place after members of the militant nationalist group, Bajrang Dal, staged a protest outside a church building in the Fatehpur district of Uttar Pradesh.

Aida Najaflou was arrested in February 2025 for "acting against the Islamic Republic." Despite suffering from multiple health issues, including a spinal fracture she sustained after a fall in late October, the 44-year-old Christian woman received limited medical care. Adding to her adversities, she was sentenced to a total of 17 years in prison this past November. (More information on Aida's case can be accessed at VOMCanada.com/tagged-items/aida-najaflou.htm.)

In June 2023, Haroon Shahzad posted a Bible passage on his Facebook page without any commentary. Some community members were offended by the post, which eventually led to mob riots. While the authorities were able to avert the resulting violence, hundreds of Christians – including Haroon and his family – were forced to flee their village. Based on the allegations, Haroon was initially charged with blasphemy. (Read further details about his case.)

Reports of persecution against Christians in China specifically involve opposition from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and their provincial counterparts. The country's governing officials have mandated that all churches promote the Communist Party's policies. Those refusing to comply inevitably encounter harassment or imprisonment. For more information regarding Christian persecution in China, and/or to review specific reports, see our China country profile.

Five Iranian Christians were recently sentenced to a combined 55 years in prison. All of them have been imprisoned because of their Christian faith. Although the sentences were issued on October 21st, the believers only learned of them within the past two weeks.

Christians in Nicaragua have been subjected to various forms of oppression and violence by the Sandinista government. In the summer of 2024, many religious leaders were arrested or deported, and numerous faith-based organizations were forcibly shut down. (To review previously published reports addressing the challenges believers are facing in this Central American nation, visit this page.)

In late October, Pastor Sylvester was detained by police after Muslim community members claimed that he was unlawfully praying and worshipping. A Christian lawyer was hired to assist with the case, but concerns were raised about the health of the pastor and his family due to a lack of food and other necessities. (A previously published report providing more information on this pastor's case is available here.)

In October, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) authorities began a coordinated campaign against the Beijing Zion Church and its various campuses, detaining dozens of Christian leaders. (For more details, see our previously published report.)

On November 18th, the Beihai Municipal People's Procuratorate approved the formal arrests of 18 pastors and church staff members, charging them with "illegally using information networks." If convicted, the believers could face up to three years in prison. These formal arrests initiate criminal investigations that will eventually lead to the trial of each apprehended church leader – a process that could take more than a year.

In November 2013, Pastor Zhang Shaojie was arrested on charges of fraud and "disrupting public order." Despite multiple appeals, the church leader was sentenced to 12 years in prison. His family reported that, while imprisoned, Pastor Zhang suffered mental and physical mistreatment – including a time of "concentrated education." With great thankfulness, he completed his sentence this month and has since been freed from prison.