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2017-08-03

• Christians on High Alert Amid Bomb Threats

  
  Egyptian Christian children gather round
  the country's flag in a group activity.
  Photo: World Watch Monitor

  Intelligence reports have raised concerns of a fresh wave of violence specifically targeting believers travelling to summer camps by bus. The authorities say militants are planning suicide bomb attacks on Christians, as well as army and police personnel. In light of this news, officials have asked church leaders to cancel any camps and conferences held outside of church buildings.

• Pastor Imprisoned for Three-Year Term

  
  Photo: Flickr/Anton Ruiter (cc)

  In early July, Pastor Bakhrom Kholmatov was sentenced to three years' imprisonment by the Khujand City Court in Tajikistan's Sogd Region for allegedly "singing extremist songs in church and inciting religious hatred." Officials have threatened the pastor's family, friends and church members with reprisals if they reveal any details of his case, trial or imprisonment.

• Prisoner Released after Serving 42 Days

  
  Aju Mathew
  Photo: VOM USA

  Authorities arrested Aju Mathew as he took 14 needy children, who were under the care and provision of a Christian children's home, on a field trip in southern India. Local officials then falsely charged him with human trafficking and the conversion of minors. As a result, Aju, who was innocent and eventually cleared, spent 42 days in prison -- enduring poor conditions and intense interrogations. However, the wrongly accused ministry worker utilized this time of imprisonment to build relationships with other prisoners and share his testimony.