Tags

Prison

• Mixed Outcomes for Christians Accused of Blasphemy

  

  In February 2018, 17-year-old Patras Masih allegedly shared content on social media which some found to be blasphemous. In the wake of this post, riots broke out in his neighbourhood of Lahore. Patras was taken into custody and authorities also tortured his cousin Sajid, who jumped from a window to escape, resulting in serious injuries.

• Twenty Years of Oppression

  

  In May 2002, the Eritrean government closed all unregistered churches and established legislation outlawing any religious community except for Sunni Islam, Eritrean Orthodoxy, Roman Catholicism and Lutheranism. Government oppression and control was strongly instituted, even within these approved religious groups.

• Death Sentences Upheld for Alleged Blog Posts

  

  In 2014, two Pakistani brothers, Qaisar and Amoon Ayub, were arrested and accused of blasphemy for posting online material – allegations that go back to 2009. In 2018, both Christian men were found guilty and subsequently sentenced to death (see this report). Since that time, there have been appeals to their convictions and sentences.

• Zhang Chunlei Granted Lawyer's Visitation

  

  On the morning of March 16th, 2021, public security officers raided the Ren'ai Reformed Church in Guiyang, taking ten Christians into custody. The church's leader, Elder Zhang Chunlei, went to the police station to negotiate but was also detained himself. In the many months that followed, access to his lawyer was severely restricted (see this report for details).

• Families Appreciate Prayers for Imprisoned Elders

  

  On May 31st, Elder Hao Ming was finally able to visit with his lawyer, more than six months after his initial arrest. Elder Hao had been arrested on November 17th when police raided the Early Rain Qingcaodi Church. (See this report for details on the original case.)The visit took place at the Deyang City Detention Centre in China's Sichuan province.

• Sentences for Detained Christians

  

  An Iranian-Armenian Christian leader has been sentenced to ten years in prison for promoting "propaganda contrary to and disturbing to the holy religion of Islam" through the house church he operated in his home. The 60-year-old believer, Anooshavan Avedian, was arrested in August 2020 and released on bail a month later, along with two converts to Christianity.

• Elder Zhang's Lawyer Forbidden Visitation

  

  On the morning of March 16th, 2021, public security officers raided the Renai Reformed Church in Guiyang, taking more than ten Christians into custody. After hearing about the raid, the church's leader, Elder Zhang Chunlei, went to the police station to negotiate but was detained by the authorities. (For additional information, see this page.)

• Christian Woman Now Facing Two-Year Sentence

  

  In July 2021, Fariba Dalir was arrested along with five other Christian converts, including her husband-to-be, Soroush. While awaiting trial, all six believers were ultimately released on bail – Fariba on November 18th and the others in October. While out on bail, Fariba and Soroush were married.

• ''Gospel Warrior'' Grateful for Detention

  

  Chen Wensheng has been referred to as a "Gospel Warrior" for his unwavering passion to spread the Good News of Jesus by testifying of the fact that Christ's life-transforming power is available to all who believe. This faithful believer has been arrested multiple times by the Chinese Communist Party, but each time he returns to the streets in order to continue boldly declaring the Gospel message (read more).

• Imprisoned Church Members Released; Others Remain in Custody

  

  In January 2020, an outspoken critic of the Chinese Communist Party hosted a conference in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur. Five Chinese Christians who attended the event were charged in July 2021 and convicted on January 7th, 2022, of "illegally crossing the national border." These Christians were sentenced to prison terms ranging from six to eight months. For more details, see our previously posted report.