Frontline Israel

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Persecution Reports World Wide

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AFGHANISTAN

AUSTRALIA

Pastors Settle Religious Vilification Case - Victoria Civil and Administrative Tribunal
Pastors Danny Nalliah and Daniel Scott have settled the religious vilification case they had been fighting in Australia state of Victoria for the past five years. According to a press release by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, the Islamic Council of Victoria and Catch the Fire Ministries have agreed that citizens have the right to robustly debate religion and criticize religious beliefs within the limits of the law. The pastors have spent more than $500,000 defending their right to present their views and insights about Islam.

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AZERBAIJAN

Pastor Arrested - Forum 18 News

On June 20, Pastor Hamid Shabanov was arrested after police claimed to find an illegal weapon while searching his home in Aliabad. According to Forum 18 News, "Pastor Shabanov's family and congregation insist that police planted the gun they claimed to discover. Shabanov's brother sees the arrest as a direct attack on the pastor's Baptist church and an attempt to halt Christian activity in the area. Shabanov's home was among those searched when another local pastor arrested on fabricated charges, Pastor Zaur Balaev, was detained in May 2007."

Imprisoned Baptist Pastor's Appeal Rejected - Forum 18 News
On October 3, the Sheki Appeal Court in Azerbaijan rejected Pastor Zaur Baleav's appeal to have his two-year prison sentence overturned. According to Forum 18 News Service, the head of the Baptist Union, Ilya Zenchenko, said, "We are stunned at the result the court handed down. We don't know what to do. It is a tragedy for his wife and children. It was all over in two minutes. Zaur's son is distressed, complaining that there is no hope and no law in Azerbaijan. He is very young, but his emotional reaction is understandable."

Imprisoned Pastor's Appeal Resumes - Forum 18 News
UPDATE: On September 6, the lawyer for imprisoned Baptist Pastor Zaur Balaev expressed optimism as the appeals process began in Sheki Appeal Court in Azerbaijan. According to Forum 18 News service, Gazalfar Rzaev said, "Of course I am optimistic." Illya Zenchenko, head of Azerbaijan's Baptist Union, was also hopeful Balaev's two-year sentence, on charges he assaulted five police officers, would be overturned. However, Zenchenko does fear Balaev might not be fully exonerated. He told Forum 18 News, "This is a dilemma for the court. Clearing Balaev would mean incriminating the police officers who falsely testified against him." On August 8, Balaev was convicted under Article 315, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which punishes the application or threat of application of violence against a state representative when he or she is carrying out official duties. Balaev was sentenced to two years in prison.

Two-Year Imprisonment for Baptist Pastor – Forum 18 News
UPDATE: On August 8, Baptist Pastor Zaur Balaev was sentenced to two years in prison by a court in the Northwestern Regional Center of Zakatala, Azerbaijan. According to Forum 18 News Service, Balaev was convicted of using violence against a state representative. He was accused of holding "illegal meetings under the guise of religious activity without concrete authority and registration." Forum 18 News reported, "He also was accused of attracting young people to worship services and playing loud music at services. Azerbaijan's authorities have changed their accusations since Balaev has been held. Police initially claimed Balaev set a dog on police during a raid on a Sunday worship service. After more than 50 people signed a written statement testifying to Balaev's innocence, the references to the dog disappeared from the authorities' claims. Instead, Balaev was accused of attacking five policemen and damaging a police car door." He was convicted under Article 315, Part 1 of the Criminal Code, which punishes the application of or threat of application of violence, including to a state representative when he or she is carrying out official duties. It carries a maximum sentence of three years.

Pastor's Trial to Begin this Month - VOM Sources
Pastor Zaur Balaev's trial is set to begin later this month. He faces a criminal charge of "resisting government representatives," which carries a maximum three-year prison term. The authorities claim the pastor set a dog onto the police who raided the church's Sunday service on May 20, 2007. Pray for this pastor and his family. Ask God to protect them and other Christians in Azerbaijan.

Arrested Baptist Pastor to Face Three Years in Prison – Forum 18 News
Police have told members of the Baptist church in the remote village of Aliabad in north-western Azerbaijan that their pastor, Zau Balaev, is to face a criminal charge of "resisting government representatives," which carries a maximum three-year prison term. The authorities claim the pastor set a dog onto police who raided the church's Sunday service on May 20, 2007. According to Ilya Zenchenko, the head of the Baptist Union, the region around Aliabad is the worst in Azerbaijan for Baptists. "It is a place where officials insult our believers, won't allow them to gain legal status and deny birth certificates to their children," Zenchenko said.

Azeri Officials Deprive Christian Baby of Name – Compass Direct

Three-month-old Ilya Eyvazov has no official name. Local authorities in the town of Aliabad at first refused to issue a birth certificate when they saw the baby's name was the Russian form of Elijah. After a month, Novruz Eyvazov, the baby's father, succeeded only in securing a birth certificate that left his son's name blank. Considered part of a "foreign" religious sect, the three Baptist congregations in Aliabad face ongoing harassment from the local government, which has refused them official church registration for the past 13 years.

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BANGLADESH

Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) Workers Request Prayer – Persecution. com
Voice of the Martyrs  workers in Bangladesh ask for prayer as Bangladesh has been plunged into political chaos. Elections scheduled for January 22 have been postponed and the president has stepped down as interim leader shortly after declaring a state of emergency following 10 weeks of street protests which killed 45 and injured hundreds. Bangladesh faces political instability. "There are now widespread fears that the political order could break down, leading to either a military government or yet more space for hardliner Islamist groups," a VOM source said.

Islamic Extremists Face Death for Killing Christian – Compass Direct
A court in Bangladesh has sentenced two Islamic extremists to death for murdering Dr. Abdul Gani Gomes, a Christian convert from Islam, in September 2004. Gomes, 48, was returning from work in the northern town of Duyanipur in Jamalpur district when four militants, including the two convicted men, jumped him and, in their words, "hacked him to death." Hafez Mahmud and Mohammad Salauddin are leading figures in the banned Islamic militant group Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), according to a BBC report. Both men confessed to killing Gomes on the order of JMB leader Shaikh Abdur Rahman. JMB members said they resented Gomes because he had encouraged other Muslims to convert to Christianity. "I am happy that I killed him," Salauddin told reporters as he emerged from the courtroom. Compass sources said Gomes' wife, Shahnaz Parvin, also a Christian convert, was present at the trial. In front of the judges, the killers said they would kill her also if she did not convert back to Islam. Mahmud and Salauddin also threatened Judge Shaheed Noor Uddin, saying their "own" court had already sentenced the judge to death for passing down a guilty verdict.

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Military Government Asks for List of Christians – Persecution. com
The government in Burma has again asked for lists of all the names of Christian children's homes, assemblies, church pastors, leaders, members and families. The military government has also fixed the time for worship which forbids Christians to meet outside these "official" times. Christian leaders in Burma do not know what the government is going to do with the lists.

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CHINA

June 2008

Christians Detained for Helping Quake Victims – China Aid Association
On June 1, Chinese Public Security Bureau (PSB) police officers disrupted a house church meeting and forcefully detained seven believers during a Sunday service at Taikang county, Henan province. According to China Aid Association (CAA), "Approximately six PSB officials disrupted the house church meeting and forcefully detained seven of the participants. Police officials did not state the reason for the detention. During interrogation, police officials questioned the members as to who would be taking donations to the earthquake disaster area. One woman and her child were released; however the other six remain in detention under a charge of sending money to a disaster area in the name of a house church." According to reports, PSB officials have said they will not release those detained until they paid a fine.

April 2008

House Church Leaders Detained; Female Leaders Remain in Jail - China Aid Association
On March 29, seven house church leaders were arrested in Qu county, Sichuan province, during a house church praise and worship service. According to China Aid Association (CAA), "Seven believers were taken by a group who claimed to be from the local religious affairs bureau, community administration and national security. Two believers were released after interrogation, one was released the following day and three female house church leaders remain in the detention center. " Meanwhile, on March 30, nine female house church leaders and four children were arrested by police officials after a Sunday school service in Sichuan province. CAA reported, "All the children and two elderly believers were released after interrogations, but seven female house church leaders are still in the detention center, and one is missing." According to copies of the criminal detention notice issued to the family members of some of those arrested, the house church leaders were being "suspected of using [an] evil cult to obstruct the enforcement of the law." These arrests are the latest in the Chinese communist government’s crackdown on Christians prior to the Olympics this summer. The Voice of the Martyrs stands with believers in China despite the government’s attempt to harass and intimidate them.

Children Arrested for Attending Bible Study - China Aid Association
On February 28, 11 children and two adults were detained by Public Security Bureau (PSB) officials while attending a house church Bible study in Qingshihe Township, Xinjiang province. According to China Aid Association (CAA), "PSB officials disrupted the gathering and detained the minors along with Ms. Fu Jun, 41, owner of the house and Ms. Lu Lanxiang, 42. The children, ages 16 - 17, were brought to the Qingshihe Township PSB office in freezing weather and were not allowed to bring adequate clothing." The report added, CAA had confirmed PSB officials had imprisoned the believers under the charge of "illegal religious gathering," their wellbeing was unknown and their families had been denied visitation. Christians in China remain faithful despite the Chinese Communist government's increased persecution in recent months leading up to the Olympics later this summer. The Voice of the Martyrs supports believers in China with medical costs, Christmas Care packs for Sunday school children and literature to strengthen believers spiritually.

UPDATE - Prominent House Church Leader Beaten by Police Again - China Aid Association
On October 16, prominent house church leader Hua Huiqi was released from Tiantan Hospital and returned home. However, China Aid Association reported that the following day Public Security Bureau (PSB) police officers attacked and beat up Hua again after refusing to allow him to use the bathroom next to his bedroom. China's PSB recently put Hua under house arrest. Pastor Hua's 77-year-old-mother, Shuang Shuying, remains very ill in prison, serving a two-year sentence.

Prominent House Church Leader Repeatedly Beaten by Police – China Aid Association
On October 11, prominent house church leader, Hua Huiqi, was repeatedly attacked by police at his home. According to China Aid Association, "Hua was reading his Bible at his home despite police surrounding his house. He was sent to Beijing Tiantan Hospital, because he lost consciousness after repeated beatings from the police." China's Public Security Bureau (PSB) recently put Hua under house arrest. PSB officers had been surrounding his house when they attacked him. Pastor Hua's 77-year-old mother, Shuang Shuying, remains very ill in prison, serving a two-year sentence. VOM contacts say she is being held hostage by police in order to put pressure on Pastor Hua to reveal names and information of believers.

Two House Church Leaders under House Arrest - China Aid Association
On October 1, 2007, the Chinese government placed two house church leaders, Hua Huiqi and Liu Fenggang, under house arrest. According to China Aid Association (CAA), "Each of their houses has been surrounded by two dozen police. Some Public Security Bureau (PSB) officers were even staged on top of Pastor Hua's roof in order to prevent anyone from coming in or going out. On October 3, eight PSB officers broke Hua and his wife's bedroom windows, and then cut off the electricity to their house." Hua Huiqi was released from prison in July after serving six months, while Liu Fenggang was released in February after three years in prison. Meanwhile, Hua Huiqi's 77-year-old mother, Shuang Shuying, is serving a two-year sentence. According to CAA, Shuang Shuying was recently beaten severely, received no medical care; she is now dying in her prison cell. Pray for Christians in China who face increased persecution ahead of the 2008 Olympics.

House Church Leader in Xinjiang Formally Arrested, Church Leaders Released - China Aid Association

Imprisoned Elderly House Church Member's Health Worsens - China Aid Association
UPDATE: On August 17, 2007, The Voice of the Martyrs received information that imprisoned 76-year-old Shuang Shuying is seriously ill, and her family is seeking her immediate release on medical parole. According to China Aid Association (CAA), a letter from Shuying's daughter-in-law, Wei Jumei, reports that on a recent visit the family found Shuying in poor health. Jumei's letter said, "When my family and I visited her, my mother-in-law was extremely sick. Her hands were trembling and she looked pale. Just a few hours of sleep a day has seriously damaged her health. Prior to her imprisonment she weighed 121 pounds, but now weighs 88 pounds. The verbal abuse she gets from fellow inmates and the psychological pressure she is subjected to, have made her miserable. We appeal for her immediate release on medical parole."

House Church in Military Area Raided in Xinjiang – China Aid Association
On June 1, a military house church was raided and members were detained and abused during their interrogation. According to China Aid Association, a house church at the home of Gao Hongzhi was raided by 10 Public Security Bureau officers. Six believers, including Mr. Gao, were detained for 12 hours until the following morning. One believer was beaten during the detention time. Mr. Gao's house was searched without a search warrant and Bibles, calendars and a blackboard were confiscated as 'illegal religious materials,' without official confiscation papers."

More than 100 Christians Expelled - China Aid Association
Between April and June 2007, more than 100 foreign Christians accused of being involved in illegal religious activities were expelled from China. It is believed the campaign, called Typhoon No. 5, is part of the Chinese government's efforts to prevent foreign Christians from engaging in mission activities before the Beijing Olympics in 2008. China Aid Association (CAA) reports, "This is the largest expulsion of foreign missionaries since 1954 when the Chinese Communist government expelled all foreign religious workers after taking power in 1949. At least five different mission agencies and sources within the Chinese government report that in February, the government launched a massive expulsion campaign against foreign Christians."

House-Church Leaders Detained in Shangdong and Shaanxi Provinces - China Aid Association
In June, police in China arrested church leaders and accused them of being suspects using evil cults to obstruct the enforcement of the law. China Aid Association (CAA), reports Public Security Bureau officers told family members of some of the detained pastors that any religious activities without permission from the government Religious Affairs Bureau is regarded as evil cult activities. On June 9, the 12 house-church leaders were arrested while they were distributing Bibles in a market in Shaanxi province. Four leaders were released on the same day while the rest were transferred to a detention center without any explanation. The homes of the two detained pastors, Zhou Jieming and Niu Wenbin, were searched without search warrants, and Bibles and Christian literature were confiscated. Meanwhile, on June 15, six house-church leaders were arrested while having a house church service in Zhangba village, Shangdong province.

House-Church Leader Assaulted by Police - China Aid Association
On May 15, 2007, Liu Fenngang, a house-church leader in Beijing, was assaulted and detained by police, while he was going to a birthday celebration. According to China Aid Association (CAA), Liua's family was threatened and told not to draw public attention to his unlawful arrest. Liu told CAA, "It was at 7:15 a.m., and I was stopped by a plain clothed police man while walking down stairs. After a bit of shoving, I managed to work my way to the bottom of the stairs. Then, more policemen confronted me, saying they had no good reason or legal basis to arrest me, but they simply couldn't allow me to leave the building." CAA adds that some police officers told Liu they knew arresting him was illegal, but said if they let him go, they would lose their jobs. Pray Liu Fenngang and his family remain strong in their faith. Pray his health will not be affected by the assault. Isaiah 38:16, Acts 4:29-30

Thirty-Six Christians Arrested in Henan, China – Persecution. com/China Aid Association
On March 6, 2007, the police raided a house-church Bible study in Wancheng District, Nanyang City, Henan province. The leaders were taken to the police station and interrogated for a day. After international pressure, however, the local police have released 33 arrested house-church leaders and three leaders from South Korea. One leader, Pastor Dong Quanyu, was sentenced to 10 days administrative detention for "illegal" gathering. Pray Christians in China demonstrate the love of God through constant love and prayer for those who persecuted them.

Update on Elderly Mother of House Church Leader – China Aid Association
On February 26, Beijing house-church leader Hui Huiqi's 77-year-old mother, Shuang Shuying, was sentenced to two years in prison by Beijing Chongwen District People's Court. She was charged with willfully damaging public and private property. In January, Hui Huiqi and his elderly mother were attacked by police officers while they were walking near a 2008 Olympic hotel site in Beijing, China. Shuang Shuying was arrested when she sought information from the Chongwen District Office about her son, who was arrested on January 26.

Update on Pastor Liu Fenggang – Persecution. com
On February 26, 2007, Pastor Liu Fenggang had successful heart surgery in a Beijing Hospital. The doctors told the family that three aortas in his heart were 95% blocked. He and his wife are thankful for the prayers for his health.

House-Church Leader and Elderly Mother Formally Charged – China Aid Association

• On February 8, Beijing house-church leader Hua Huiqi was formally arrested by Beijing Public Security Bureau Chaoyang Branch and his 76-year-old mother was arrested for the second time by Beijing Security Bureau Chongwen Branch. In January, Hua Huiqi and his elderly mother were attacked and wounded by seven police officers while walking near a 2008 Olympic hotel site in Beijing, China. His family later learned he was sentenced to one month of criminal detention.

• Pastor Liu Fenggang, who was recently released from prison, is in the hospital with heart problems.

Christians Arrested in China – China Aid Association/Persecution. com

• On January 22, 2007, three "Minority for Christ" workers were arrested in Guizhou province. Guizhou has one of the largest Hmong populations and is also one of the strongest Communist provinces in China.

• VOM sources also report that security police arrested 11 Korean Christians after visiting a local village in China. After extensive interrogation they were released. The group is helping a local village build a new church building.

On January 26, 2007, Hua Huidi and his 76-year-old mother were attacked and wounded by seven police officers while walking near a 2008 Olympic hotel site in Beijing, China. According to China Aid Association (CAA), Hua, an active house-church member in Beijing, and his mother were kicked on the ground and later taken to the Olympic Police Station for questioning. "When Hua asked the police to release his sick mother and explain the legal ground for the detention, he was beaten repeatedly. While the temperature in Beijing was in the 20s, cold water was poured on him. He was later taken to a detention center," CAA said. Hua's family learned that he was sentenced to one month of criminal detention.

UPDATE - Pastor Cai in Labor Camp – China Aid Association
Pastor Cai is serving his three-year prison sentence in a labor camp near Tianjin City. "His wife was released from prison and is in good health. She is caring for their son, but is afraid. Pastor Cai's brother reported that Cai is in good spirits and his faith is very strong," a China Aid Association (CAA) contact said. Meanwhile, Pastor Cai's church was raided on Christmas Eve, while 150 members were worshipping. "Police officers raided the church, videotaped and forced the members to register their identification and warned them not to gather," CAA added.

House Church Closed in Anhui – China Aid Association
On November 26, a house church in Laodong Xincui, Tongling City, Anhui Province was closed by the government. The leaders were told to join the local Three-Self Church. The house church was founded 53 years ago by renowned Brother Wang Xingquan who was imprisoned for his faith during the Cultural Revolution. The nearly 200 members are under supervision from the local Religious Affair Bureau which is intimidating and exerting pressure on them. The employers of Brother Wang Xingquan's daughter have stopped paying her salary and threatened to fire her if she does not set an example and join the local Three-Self Church. Four Christian brothers from Xinjiang province, who were imprisoned for 32 days between October and November this year, were admitted to the hospital after being tortured by other prisoners.

Church Faces Imminent Destruction of Building – China Aid Association
A house church in Yangjianong Village, Qixian Town, Shaoxing County, has received notification from the local government to vacate the church building before December 4, 2006. Approximately 200 Christians have worshipped at this church since 2001. Recently the local government declared that the church be demolished to make room for a park, but refused to arrange a new location for the church. The church is now filing a lawsuit against the county government to prevent the demolition. However, a document issued by Shaoxing demolition administrative office on November 30 states, "The demolition will not be stopped by the administrative review or the lawsuit."

Final Trial of Religious Leaders May Impose Death Penalty – China Aid Association
Xu Shengguang, along with two other church leaders, may face a death sentence in December from the Shuang Yashan Intermediate People's Court will be upheld. Meanwhile, China Aid Association (CAA) learned Christians Tian Yinghua, Wang Qiu and Jiang Rong in Wendeng City, Shandong Province, who filed lawsuits against the local Public Security Bureau (PSB), have reached an out of court agreement. As a result of the agreement, the Wendeng PSB revoked the administrative penalty decision and the three Christians withdrew their lawsuit.

Handicapped Pastor Sentenced to Two Years in Prison – China Aid Association
CAA learned October 9 that Pastor Wang Zaiqing, a prominent Chinese house-church leader in Anhui Province was sentenced to two years in prison on the charge of "illegal business practices," fined 100,000 Yuan ($12,500.00 US), and had all the books and printing funds taken from his home. Pastor Wang was crippled at the age of 5 years. He became a Christian in 1993, and later became a very well-known house church planter and preacher in several provinces around Anhui Province.

Christians Protest Government Takeover of Church Property – China Aid Association
CAA learned that 300 Christians from a Three-Self Patriotic Movement church in Gansu province have remained silent for 15 days at their original church property, protesting the local government that is occupying it.  They are requesting the return of this property to the church.  Also, on October 20, local police besieged a home where Christians were gathered for a house blessing in Qingshui Town, Xinjiang. More than 10 Christians, including three Singaporeans, were arrested and released the next day.  Five are still in detention.  They are: Brother Liu and Brother Ouyang Liang from Uramqi, Brother Li Baoming, Brother Tan Defu, and Brother LouYuanqi from Huocheng. Brother Ouyang, whose home was searched by the police, has been escorted to an unknown place.

Prosecution of Six Christian Leaders Postponed – China Aid Association
The trial of six Christian leaders arrested in July in connection with the demolition of a church under construction, has been postponed due to lack of evidence. The local prosecutor in Hangzhou city decided not to prosecute the church leaders at this time. At the time of the event, the church leaders implored the military police to postpone entering the construction site, and at the same time urged the Christians to leave quickly. A potential large-scale clash was actually avoided on the spot. The local people's prosecutor might find the charge of "incitement to resist law-enforcement" is not tenable. The case was returned to the local PSB to gather more evidence. According to an expert legal analyst, the most optimistic prospect is that the case will be thrown out for lack of sufficient evidence.

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COLOMBIA

CUBA

Authorities Threaten Pastors with Imprisonment - VOM Sources
In May, secret police in Cuba threatened four pastors with 25 to 50 years in prison if they continued receiving financial assistance from international ministries around the world. The pastors were forced to sign documents renouncing the help. The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts in Cuba report, "The secret police told them (pastors) that if they did not give up the financial help, they would be considered anti-revolutionary and conspirators against the government. As a result, the pastors are afraid and have not accepted help."

UPDATE - Pastor Issued Not Guilty Verdict – Persecution. com
Pastor Carlos Lamelas has officially been given his innocent verdict in writing by the court. He is trying to have the fine he paid reversed as well.

Cuban Pastor Acquitted, but Convicted on New Charge – Compass Direct
A Cuban court acquitted Rev. Carlos Lamelas of human trafficking, but convicted him on previously announced charges of falsification of documents. The judges imposed a fine of 1,000 pesos ($45) for the new charges. "Even though this (sentence) is favorable, we are not satisfied. If a crime of falsification truly had been committed, that would make me an accomplice of trafficking in humans, and I would not have been acquitted. How can it be that I am innocent of the original crime and nevertheless guilty of the one they later invented," Lamelas said.

Prosecutor Recommends Acquittal of Church Leader –  Compass Direct/Persecution. com
Monday, December 4th a prosecuting attorney in Havana recommended that the Rev. Carlos Lamelas be acquitted of all charges of trafficking in illegal emigrants. The accusations had sent the evangelical pastor and former national president of his church to jail for more than four months earlier this year. Despite the motion for acquittal, Lamelas's future still remains in doubt. "The trial is now at the stage of determining sentence, and we must await the judges' decision," Lamelas said. "The worst part is that we have to keep waiting possibly for one or two more months."

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EGYPT

Christian Homes and Businesses Attacked - VOM Sources

On June 19, 2008, a mob of local Muslims attacked businesses and homes belonging to Coptic Christians in the village of Al Nazla, Fayoum province. According to VOM contacts, "When a convert from Christianity to Islam left that day on a three-day trip to Cairo, local Muslims concluded that she had gone missing. Rumors circulated that she had been abducted by her Christian family members. A mob of Muslims then went on a rampage in the village, beating and injuring Christians and destroying property."

Muslims Attack Christian Shops and Homes in Egypt - Compass Direct News
Seven Christians were injured in two recent, unrelated attacks on Coptic Orthodox churches and Christian-owned shops in northern Egypt. According to a Compass Direct News report, on June 8, 2008, Muslim men damaged and looted Christian shops and churches in the town of Zawyet Abdel-Qader, 20 miles west of Alexandria. A number of Christians were injured while trying to defend their property. Two churches were also vandalized. Pray for those injured in the attacks. Pray Christians will show Christian's love to the attackers. 3 John 2, Psalm 107:19-20

Christians Attacked – Persecution. com
On May 11, a mob of Muslims attacked Christians in Bahma village south of Cairo after hearing rumors that a church was to be built in the village without government permission. Muslims left their Friday prayers and attacked the homes and shops of Christians, setting the buildings on fire. At least 10 Coptic Christians were injured in the attack. People from both faiths took up sticks and hatchets and began hurling bricks and firebombs at each other. At least 27 houses and shops were damaged by fire. At last report, 59 Muslims have been arrested on charges of arson and spreading sectarian strife.

Police Detain Families after Anti-Christian Attack – Compass Direct News
Police detained Christian families in Upper Egypt and forced them to deny arson attacks on their homes during an outburst of anti-Christian violence last week. Two Coptic Orthodox families have said police detained them for 36 hours when they attempted to report a February 13 assault on their homes in Armand, 373 miles south of Cairo. The fires came five days after Muslim groups set four Christian-owned shops alight on February 9. It is believed hostilities began over accusations that Christians were blackmailing Muslim women to convert. Authorities detained Christians when they tried to report the February 13 arson attack on their homes.

Police Raid Shop, Arrest Christian Shop Owner – Persecution. com
On December 26, 2006, police raided a shop owned by Magdy Guirgis Fam, an active member in the Egyptian Christian Youth Union (ECYU), who works under the Coptic Orthodox Church. The police destroyed his shop, beat him and arrested him. Magdy's ministry is following up with girls that Muslims kidnap or try to forcibly convert. This ministry has protected, rescued hundreds of Christian girls who have been threatened with kidnapping or forced conversion. The secret police have threatened other members of the ECYU.

Christian Convert from Islam Jailed – Compass Direct
A Muslim sheikh jailed in Egypt for 18 months has declared from his prison cell that he is under arrest for "insulting Islam" by becoming a Christian. Egypt's secret police transferred Bahaa el-Din Ahmed Hussein el-Akkad, 57, to the Wadi el-Natroun Prison last month. He was told he would remain there indefinitely unless he agreed to work as a government informer against other converts to Christianity.  According to the prisoner's Cairo attorney, Athanasius William, his client remains incarcerated in this desert prison "only because he has chosen a different belief, to be a Christian."  When courts ordered El-Akkad's release from provisional detention 10 weeks ago, State Security Investigation authorities deliberately ignored the ruling.

Christian Girl Abducted - Whereabouts Still Unknown – Persecution. com
After working 14 hours in the fields, Saber, an Egyptian Christian, had his plans of relaxation interrupted by a knock on his door. It was his neighbor's teenage son who wanted to buy some hay. Having no energy to fetch the hay, Saber sent his 16-year-old daughter, Suzanne, to get the hay from his backyard. She never returned, and Saber suspects the teenager forcibly converted and married her. Our contact reports Saber has forgiven his daughter's abductor but desperately wants to know where Suzanne is and how she is living.

Christian Girl Kidnapped by Muslims Escapes – Compass Direct
An Egyptian Christian teenager escaped her Muslim kidnappers last week hours after they had drugged her on a public bus. They threatened to rape her and convert her to Islam if her family did not leave their Nile Delta city of El-Mahala el-Kobra. Laurence Wagih Emil, 15, escaped the ground-floor room where she was being held in Cairo's southern Helwan suburb at 10 p.m. last Tuesday (October 3) while her captors were away breaking their Ramadan fast. Her father, Wagih Emil, had received several threatening text messages from his daughter's mobile phone. "Take the rest of your daughters and leave the city, or you will lose them one by one," said one. "The girl is not accepting easily, but she will embrace Islam for sure." Before family members recovered her, State Security Investigation officials interviewing Laurence Emil told her she would never see her parents again unless she reported a false story denying the kidnapping. The kidnapping of Christian teenage girls in Muslim nations has reached into the thousands.

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ERITREA

Christians Arrested – Compass Direct News
On May 28, Eritrean police arrested 34 evangelical Christians in the city of Keren, Eritrea. According to Compass Direct News, "The Christians, who are members of the Berhane Hiwet (Light of Life) Church, were meeting in a private home for prayer and fellowship. All 24 men and 10 women present in the meeting were taken to prison, with their children left behind. The next day security officials transferred the women prisoners to the Adi-Abeyto Military Confinement facility on the outskirts of the capital city of Asmara." Pray for the release of Eritrean Christians who are imprisoned for the sake of Christ.

Gospel Singer Helen Berhane Granted Asylum in Denmark - VOM Sources
Eritrean gospel singer, Helen Berhane, who was released from prison in November 2006 after being detained in Eritrea for two years without charge, has been granted asylum in Denmark. Berhane and her daughter arrived in Denmark on October 19, after spending 11 months in Sudan. Her health remains extremely poor, due to the physical suffering she experienced during her detention. She cannot walk without assistance. During Berhane's detention, she was held for extended periods of time in shipping containers and tortured several times by authorities in an effort to force her to recant her faith. Thank God that Berhane has found a safe place to live.

Senior Pastor Arrested – VOM Sources
Pastor Oqbamichael, a well-known leader of the Kale-Hiwot Church in Eritrea, was arrested and imprisoned. This was the second imprisonment for the pastor in the past two years. In 2005, he was arrested at a Christian wedding and was later released after 10 months in prison, which included solitary confinement and hard labor in the Sawa Military Camp. The arrest of Pastor Oqbamichael follows the recent arrest of Evangelist Mussie Ezaz, who is also a minister in the Kale-Hiwot Church.

Christian Tortured to Death in Eritrea

On September 5, Eritrean authorities tortured to death 33-year-old Migsti Haile for refusing to recant her Christian faith while being held at the Wi’a Military Training Center.

Haile is the fourth Christian killed in Eritrea in less than a year. Compass Direct News reported, “She was one of 10 single Christian women arrested at a church gathering in Keren. They have spent 18 months under severe pressure. Haile was killed for refusing to sign a letter recanting her faith.”

In May of 2002, government officials called in the leaders of all evangelical churches in Eritrea and told them they would not be permitted to hold further public services. Only the “historic religions” of Catholic, Orthodox, Lutheran and Islam have been allowed to hold public worship since that time.

Compass Direct says that more than 2,000 Eritrean Christians are imprisoned. Not a single one of them has been formally charged or had a public trial, and all have been denied legal representation. Amnesty International released a report yesterday that said most of the more than 2,000 imprisoned Christians have been held for more than two years in harsh conditions, with little or no medical care.

Todd Nettleton, The Voice of the Martyrs’ director of media development, said, “We mourn the loss of this Christian sister, but we also celebrate her faithful witness for Christ. I hope that the world community will join in condemning the government of Eritrea for the ongoing abuse of people of faith among their citizens.”

Twenty Christians Arrested by Security Forces VOM Sources / Release Eritrea
At least 20 Christians, including several children, were arrested and detained when security forces raided a home south of the capital, Asmara. According to Release Eritrea, authorities went to the home expecting to arrest a group of Christians gathered for prayer. When they did not find a meeting they arrested the families living in the home and several Christians in the neighborhood, including a well-known Bible teacher and church leader, Pastor Michael Abraha, of the Kale-Hiwot Baptist church. There is considerable concern for the pastor's health because he is diabetic. Pray the arrested Christians will be encouraged. Ask God to raise up more believers in Eritrea to take the place of those who are imprisoned. Pray for Pastor Michael's health. Psalm 91: 1-2

Pastor Arrested – Persecution. com
Pastor Habtom Tesfamikael, one of the last remaining free Christian leaders in Eritrea, was recently arrested and imprisoned. He was a pastor of one of the largest Pentecostal churches in Eritrea, the Asmara Full Gospel Church. Pastor Habtom is married and has been serving the Lord for more than 30 years.

Sixty-eight Christians Arrested – Compass Direct News/Persecution. com
Police and military authorities in Eritrea jailed 68 Christians in three official round-up operations conducted the first week of January.

• January 4 - Military commanders at Sawa Military Center held "random check-up on the activities of Christian extremists" on teenage student conscripts. They found 250 Bibles, which they burned in front of the whole military camp. They arrested 35 students and ordered they be subjected to severe military punishment, including torture.

• January 5 - Police took 8 government workers into custody. The Christians are being interrogated and pressured by police to identify leaders and name anyone supporting them.

• January 5 - Thirty-five Christians in Assab were arrested by police. They were pressured to recant their faith.

Christian Singer Freed From Prison  – The Chicago Tribune
Gospel singer Helen Berhane, who belonged to a banned evangelical church in Eritrea, has been released after more than two years in detention. She was released in late October, according to a statement issued by Amnesty International. Berhane was arrested in May 2004. "She spent most of her detention in inhuman and degrading conditions inside a metal shipping container, which was used as a prison cell, the statement said. The authorities reportedly tortured her many times to make her recant her faith.

Police Arrest 150 More Christians  – Compass Direct
In a large-scale roundup in late October, Eritrean authorities have detained 150 Christians from at least five of the country's outlawed churches.  Starting October 25, security officers in the town of Mendefera began going from house to house, arresting local Christians from a list they compiled of known members of Pentecostal churches and the Orthodox renewal movement. During the first day's raids, a total of 38 men and 17 women were incarcerated at the military fort in Mendefera, 30 miles south of Asmara. Local sources confirmed to Compass that police authorities were subjecting the detained Christians to beatings and other physical mistreatment. According to eyewitnesses, at least 10 nursing mothers were among the new prisoners, all of them forced to leave their infants behind.

Two Christians Tortured to Death – Compass Direct
On October 17, security police tortured two Christians to death, two days after arresting them for holding a religious service in a private home south of Asmara. The deaths came after officials detained a U.S. citizen and re-imprisoned a popular Christian singer who was hospitalized as a result of spending 29 months in a metal shipping container. Immanuel Andegergesh, 23, and Kibrom Fir Romans 10 : 8emichel, 30, died from torture wounds and severe dehydration in a military camp outside the town of Adi-Quala, eyewitnesses told Compass. Earlier this month, Eritrean authorities returned popular Christian singer Helen Berhane to military detention after she spent three days in Asmara's Halibet Hospital for medical treatment. Berhane's leg had been seriously damaged as a result of beatings she received while imprisoned in a metal shipping container since her arrest in May 2004.

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Muslims Attack Homes in Ethiopia - VOM Sources
On October 16, Muslims attacked 25 Christian families and demolished 12 homes in Seka Yoyo, in the southwest of Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts, the families were forced to flee to nearby Jimma. Thank God no believers were killed or seriously harmed during this attack.

Homes of Christians Burned, Christian Man Killed – Persecution. com
On January 8, the homes of three Christian families were burned by Muslims in the village of Begge.  Even though the family belongings were burnt, no one was injured in the attack. At last report, the police had not yet investigated the incident or taken any action to bring the arsonists to justice. In the same area, 10 Christian youths have been living in a church building in Begge three months after fleeing from their homes. They were chased from their homes after their families threatened to execute them for converting from Islam.  In a separate incident, a Christian man was killed by an unknown person in the town of Kofele. The father of five was hit on the head with a metal iron rod. His family believes he was killed by Muslims, since the Kofele area is dominated by Muslims.

Attacks on Christians in Western Ethiopia – Persecution. com
Hailu, an elder of a Mennonite Church in Jimma was imprisoned after a group of Muslims accused him of insulting the Prophet Muhammad. Hailu had refused to move out of his house and sell his property to a nearby mosque. The Muslims responded by telling him that "kafirs" (infidels) should not live around mosques and threatened him repeatedly, demanding that he leave his property. When he refused, they eventually accused him of insulting Muhammad. During Hailu's November 9 court hearing, Muslims brought in false witnesses to testify against him. The court ordered him to be imprisoned for an unspecified period of time. In another incident, November 17, the house of Jemal Tasisa was burned by Muslims in the village of Tongo. Tasisa, an elder in a local Lutheran church, has fled to Assosa, Benishangul state with his five children.

Five Churches Burned – Persecution. com

Contact in Ethiopia has reported that five churches were burned recently. Religious conflicts in Dembi have taken the lives of Christians. International Christian Concern (ICC) reported on Thursday that it had just been informed of a brutal attack on Christians on July 20 in Henno, Ethiopia. Seven Muslim clerics in southern Ethiopia angry over the conversion of two prominent Muslims in 2005 brutally attacked at least 50 Christians, seriously injuring 12. However, many Muslims in the region have condemned the violence against Christians and some have refused to go to mosques. According to ICC, 47 Muslim leaders became Christians and renounced Islam stating, "If Islam means killing innocent brothers and sisters - we do not want to follow it!"

INDIA

June 2008

Pastor Beaten; Churches Attacked – VOM Sources
On May 27, Pastor Rampal Kori was beaten by two Hindu militants in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, India. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, "The militants repeatedly struck the pastor, who was returning from prayer meetings, with an iron rod and accused him of forcibly converting villagers to Christianity. They also robbed him of 3000 Rupees (US $70). Pastor Kori sustained serious injuries that required stitches in his head." Meanwhile on May 26, in an unrelated incident, militants demolished a thatched church in the district of Adilabad, Andhra Pradesh. On June 1, another group attacked the Masihi Mandir Church in the district of Oriya Para, Chhattisgarh state, during a morning church service. VOM sources added, "At approximately 11:00 a.m., the militants barged into the church building and destroyed the facility's furniture. The attackers accused the believers present of forcibly converting people, and threatened them with dire consequences if they continued to worship Christ." Pray for healing for Pastor Kori.

April 2008

New Testament Distribution by Gideons Stopped by Hindu Radicals - VOM Sources
On April 6, Hindu extremists stopped a Gideon International New Testament distribution in Bhubaneswar in Orissa State. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, "New Testaments were being given to college students that were leaving the Examination Center at the Central School. These students had just completed their medical school entrance examinations. Realizing the New Testaments were being given openly to the students, local Hindus demanded the group stop the distribution." VOM contacts added, "When the members of Gideons ignored these requests, more Hindus began to intervene. After distributing 390 New Testaments, the mob became irate and began to manhandle the Gideons, demanding they leave. They were forced to pack up the New Testaments and leave immediately. As they were packing up, the mob was able to take 10 New Testaments and set fire to them in the street. A few members of Gideons sustained minor injuries."

March 2008

Hindu Extremists Assault New Christian Leader - Compass Direct News
On February 27, the newly-elected president of the Balaghat Christian Association was beaten for providing legal help to victims of an earlier Hindu extremist attack on February 22. According to Compass Direct News, "Members of the Hindu extremist group, Bajrang Dal allegedly targeted Dr. Robin Singh, a medical doctor and Christian leader, because he had provided legal and administrative help to Tom George, Sunil Lal and others who had been dragged from a Lent meeting and beaten with bamboo poles, sticks, rods and other weapons. They struck him with their fists and wooden sticks, as well as kicked him, to deftly give him internal injuries."

On October 11, Pastor Ganesh Murthy was attacked by two Hindu extremists while he was distributing literature and praying for local people in the village of Rampura, Karnakata. The extremists verbally abused, beat and dragged him to the local police station where he was detained on charges of forcible conversion. The extremists also tried to forcibly convert Pastor Murthy to Hinduism by promising to meet the financial needs of his wife and three children if he complied. However, the pastor refused the offer and stood firm in his faith. He is still in prison.

On October 14, Pastor Thadikal and his wife were attacked in their home in the Vayandu district of Kerala, by two Hindu extremists. The pastor and his wife sustained serious head injuries.

Pastor Threatened; Pastor and Wife Assaulted, Imprisoned and Later Released – VOM Sources

• KASHMIR – On July 29, five men from the Molvis Al-Hadis Mosque in Baramulla threatened Pastor Bashir Masih, and other believers preparing for Sunday worship. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts in India, "The five men threatened the believers and instructed them to vacate the house, which is also used as a house church, within a month since it is located near a mosque." In the past, Muslim extremists have assaulted Pastor Masih's disabled son and Muslim village authorities have allowed extremists to block drinking water to Pastor Masih's home. Pastor Masih was a Muslim who converted to Christianity in 2005. His house church, Shalom Prayer House, was started in 2005.

• KARTANAKA – August 10, Pastor Victor and his wife Glory were released after spending a month in prison. On July 9, the couple was assaulted by a Hindu extremist while they were distributing tracts in the Bijapur District, Karnataka. They were later arrested. According to The Voice of the Martyrs' contacts in India, a grocery store owner invited the pastor and his wife to his home and while they were talking, a man entered the home and attacked them. VOM contacts report, "When the man entered the home, he saw gospel tracts and began cursing at the pastor and slapped him. The grocery owner joined the assault and dragged the pastor out of the home and put him on a rickshaw and took him to the police. The Hindu extremist registered a complaint against the couple for inciting religious disharmony." The couple was arrested under section 296 A of the Indian Penal Code.

Christian Leaders Attacked, Christians Openly Persecuted and Stabbed – VOM Sources

• RAJASTHAN – On July 25, five men attacked Emmanuel Ministries. According to The Voice of The Martyrs contacts in India, the attackers had two handguns, a sword, a large stick and numerous stones. VOM contacts report, "They started fighting Mr. Jetha, one of the ministry office staff. They shouted that they would kill M.A and Samuel Thomas, the leaders of Emmanuel Ministries, and continuously beat Mr. Jetha. They threatened that they would 'kill and willingly go to prison for six years.' In a separate incident on July 31, members of Believers Assembly Church in Sri Ganga Nagar District, Rajasthan, were summoned by the police for questioning after Hindu fundamentalists complained believers were converting local villagers. VOM contacts report, "The new believers were threatened by police and pressured to leave Christianity and return to Hinduism. They were also warned that if they fail to return to Hinduism the provisions of the Anti-Conversion Act of Rajasthan, would be used to arrest them."

• KARNATAKA – On July 29, a mob of about 15 Bajrang Dal extremists armed with clubs, cricket bats and knives attacked Believers Church, in Shimoga District, mercilessly beating the pastor. According to VOM contacts, "the attackers barged into the church and abused the Christians, using filthy language and began hitting and stabbing them. They destroyed the pulpit, chairs, musical instruments, furniture, and window panes and damaged the church walls. The pastor was also severely beaten with a cricket bat and his body was swollen."

Christians Beaten by Police Inspector; Pastor Beheaded - VOM Sources

• KARNATAKA - On July 15, while a group of Christians were gathered for worship in Thadesa, a police inspector assaulted two believers and took them to the police station. The police inspector continued to beat them for another three hours there.

• MANIPUR - On July 5, Pastor Pau Za Khen, a Burmese pastor of the Upper Myanmar Evangelical Lutheran Church, was beheaded by an unidentified group in the town of Churachanpur, Manipur. Pastor Khen was abducted from his daughter's home by four men on July 4. His decapitated body was found in a field outside of town the next morning. His hands were tied behind his back and he was blindfolded.

Pastor Charged Under New Anti-Christian Law in Andra Pradesh - VOM Sources
Pastor Devampu, was beaten by Hindu radicals in the presence of police in Kanipackam, Andra Pradesh. He was arrested and charged under Indian Penal Code 295, and the law GO 747, which bans non-Hindus from being in 12 temple towns in Andra Pradesh State. Pastor Devampu has been ministering in Kanipackam, which has one of the 12 temples, for the past two years. Pray Pastor Devampu will be released. Pray for protection for Christians in India.

Christians Beaten by Hindu Extremists - VOM Sources
On June 24, a Carmelite priest and four other Christian men were attacked by a group of Hindu militants in Kundapurna, Karnataka state. While the men were in the waiting room of a hospital with a neighbor, Islamic extremists started insulting then and accused them of forcibly converting Hindus. The attackers threw the priest down a flight of stairs and beat him. When the other men came to his aid, they were also beaten. The Christians were then taken to the police station where the militants filed a complaint of forcible conversion against them. All five Christians have been hospitalized for their injuries.

Missionary Threatened with Death - Gospel for Asia
Anti-Christian extremists in Utter Pradesh have threatened to kill Gospel for Asia missionary Daya Marandi, if he does not leave the area where he is ministering. The extremists have also made threats to harm more than 50 people who worship in Daya's church and are demanding believers in the church denounce Christianity.

Two Christian Leaders Killed, VOM Coordinator Attacked - VOM Sources

UTTER PRADESH - On June 2, 2007, two Christian leaders were stabbed to death at a Christian school and orphanage in Etah District, Uttah Pradesh. According to The Voice of the Martyrs contacts, it is believed Samuel Masih and Aman Singh, leaders at the school, were brutally killed by anti-Christian Hindu extremists. "Aman Singh's body had more than 20 stab wounds, while Masih had been stabbed five times. Police are investigating. Robbery has been ruled out as a motive, and the family suspects that religion was a factor," the contacts said. Pray for the families of those killed. Pray believers in this area will be stre