Police in Ho Chi Minh City arrested a 71-year-old pastor named Nguyen Manh Hung on January 16th after he was accused of spreading anti-state propaganda through social media. If convicted, the Christian leader could face up to 20 years in prison.
The pastor's home was also raided by police officers, who seized documents, two phones and a laptop. Additionally, the pastor's son, Tran Hien, was interrogated for several hours before being released. Tran Hien was told that his father would be "temporarily detained for four months."
The apprehended Christian elder has served as a pastor since 2011; and, most recently, as a leader of the Chuong Bo Protestant Church – a place of worship that is not officially registered with the government. As Pastor Nguyen is a frequent advocate for religious freedom, he has faced repeated harassment by Vietnamese authorities.
While most Christians who have been arrested and charged in Vietnam are part of the country's minority ethnic groups, it is significant that Pastor Nguyen belongs to the Kinh people – the ethnicity that makes up the majority of the country's population. To review further information on the persecution of Christians in Vietnam, see our country report.
- As Pastor Nguyen is presently being held in custody, please pray that this faithful Christian leader will tangibly sense God's strengthening presence with him.
- May all charges against this pastor be dropped, allowing him to be released soon and reunited with his family.
- Also prayerfully uphold all who are concerned for the well-being of this faithful church leader – his family, friends and congregation/community members – asking our Heavenly Father to also sustain them daily with needed strength, encouragement and hope.
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