Fourteen Eritrean Christians released; others arrested

On February 5, 12 Christians who were held at the Adi-Nefase military camp in Assab, Eritrea for the past two years were released on bail. The believers, who are members of the Kale-Hiwot Church, were only teenagers at the time of their arrests. Upon their release, they were warned that they will be executed if they are caught participating in Christian activities.

Two other Christians, Aklilu Tesfamichel and Gebru Tesfayon, were released on bail on February 15 from the Mitire Military Confinement Centre. The men, members of the Rhema Church in Adi-Kuala, had been detained in the camp for the past year and a half after they were caught witnessing about Christ to fellow military soldiers. Upon their release, they were sent back to the military units where they had served before their arrests.

Elsewhere in the country, Eritrean security officials arrested seven Christians gathered together for prayer in a private home in Asmara on February 18. The seven believers, Nagassi, Dawit, Nahum, Ghebreab, Alem, Eden and Rigbe, were taken to an unknown location.

Christian sources inside Eritrea estimate that over 2,000 Christians remain incarcerated in harsh detention centres for their refusal to stop worshiping outside of the government sanctioned religious communities. Among the detained believers are at least 38 leaders of underground churches who remain in prison without formal charges. Seventeen of them have now spent more than five years in prison. (Sources: Open Doors USA, International Christian Concern)

Thank the Lord for the release of the 14 believers. Pray for the Lord's guidance for them as they adjust to life outside prison. Pray for the peace and mercy of Christ to sustain the thousands of other Christians who remain detained in Eritrea.

For more information on the severe persecution facing Eritrean Christians, go to the Eritrea Country Report

More Iranian Christians detained, two released

More Iranian believers have been arrested in recent weeks, including Reverend Wilson Issavi of the Assyrian Evangelical Church in Kermanshah. Authorities arrested the pastor on February 2 while he was visiting with a couple near Isfahan. The couple and a woman who was visiting with them were also seized. One month ago, officials searched the pastor's home while he was absent and confiscated his personal items. They also sealed his church building.

In the city of Karaj, a Christian couple who converted from Islam was arrested on February 16. The wife was released two days later but the husband remains detained, reportedly on accusations of "proselytism."

Meanwhile, two of the Iranian Christians arrested in the city of Shiraz on January 11 (for more information, click here) have been released. The two believers, both converts from Islam, were released on bail which was lower than the amount ordered for the five who remain detained. The released Christians were required to submit work contract documents detailing their salaries with the implied threat that their salaries will be withheld or reduced if they are perceived to cause further trouble. (Sources: Middle East Concern, Farsi Christian News Network)

Pray that those detained will know the close presence of Jesus and be strengthened in their faith. Pray that they will be released and reunited with their families. Pray that those released will not face future charges or other such opposition. Pray that Christian converts from Islam will be able to meet without fear in Iran. Pray that Iranian officials will act justly and mercifully, and be led to follow Jesus.

To find out more about the suffering Church in Iran, go to the Iran Country Report.

Pakistani Christian beaten by Muslim brothers

Riaz Masih (26) was brutally beaten by his four Muslim brothers in Punjab province, Pakistan after he refused to give up his faith. Riaz, whose Christian parents died when he was a boy, said that his continual refusals to convert infuriated his brothers. The Muslim cleric who raised them after their parents died had reportedly lured Riaz's brothers into embracing Islam by offering them a large plot of residential land and 500,000 rupees (approximately $6,000 CAD). In a similar manner, Riaz's brothers tried to entice him to convert by offering him 1 million rupees (approximately $12,000 CAD), a large residence and a woman of his choice to marry. However, Riaz stood firm and declined. On February 8, Riaz's brothers ransacked his house and told him that they would kill him if he did not convert to Islam, saying, "Killing an infidel is not a sin, instead it's righteousness in the sight of Allah almighty." Riaz begged them to give him a few minutes to consider their offer and then tried to escape, but they grabbed him, beat him with bamboo clubs and left him for dead. At last report, Riaz was hiding in fear for his life. (Source: Compass Direct)

Pray for God to continue to strengthen Riaz to remain strong amid opposition (Psalm 29:11). Pray that the Lord will speak to the hearts of his brothers so that they too will come to know Him as their Lord. Pray for the emergence of strong and mature Christian leaders in Pakistan to help equip those under pressure to remain steadfast and be effective witnesses for Christ. You can stand in solidarity with Riaz by posting a prayer for him on our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.

To learn more about persecution in Pakistan, go to the Pakistan Country Report.

Update: Christian youths tortured by Egyptian officials

Christian youths who were arrested without warrants following an attack on believers leaving a Christmas Eve midnight mass service in Nag Hammadi, Egypt (click here for more information) have reportedly been severely tortured at the hands of authorities. Fifteen of the dozens of Christians arrested remain in detention and have been charged with "rioting and resisting the authorities." Several youths who were released stated that they were severely tortured by officials and were ordered to falsely testify that Bishop Kyrollos, the Coptic Bishop of Nag Hammadi, had incited them to make demonstrations.

One of the released, Bola (18), stated, "We had to take our clothes off, and we were electrocuted with electrodes in our private parts for eight hours. Electric shocks only stopped when we could take it no longer -- only to be resumed again." A 17-year-old, Reziky, added, "We were threatened by security that if we disclosed what went on, we will be re-arrested." According to a family member of another released Christian, many of the youths have been made infertile because of the torture. The majority of the released teenagers are undergoing medical treatment, including being fitted with catheters in order to urinate. (Source: Assyrian International News Agency)

Pray for physical and emotional healing for these young men. Pray that they and their loved ones will remain steadfast in their faith (1 Peter 5:8-10). Pray that those who tortured them will repent and come to Christ. Pray that authorities will act justly in this case. Pray for strength and safety for the 15 who remain in detention.

For more information on how Christians suffer in Egypt, go to the Egypt Country Report. To find out how you can stand in solidarity with these Egyptian brothers, click here.

Update: New charges concocted against Ethiopian Christian

Authorities in Ethiopia are attempting to file a terrorism case against Bashir Musa Ahmed (39), who was arrested without formal charges in May 2009 for the "malicious" distribution of Bibles (click here for more information). According to local Christian leaders and a state official, Islamist pressure has kept Bashir in detention in spite of the state's failure to find any legitimate charge against him. Police have submitted the terrorism charges to prosecutors, who last month requested police to find some evidence for the accusation. Bashir has reportedly been beaten in jail and has been repeatedly denied bail. (Source: Compass Direct)

Pray that these charges will be dropped and that Bashir will be released. Ask God to give Bashir hope and peace during this uncertain time. Pray that God will open doors of opportunity for Bashir to clearly share the gospel for which he suffers while in prison (Colossians 4:2-3).

To learn more about suffering believers in Ethiopia, check out the Ethiopia Country Report.

Update: Court hearing scheduled for Egyptian Christian convert from Islam

A hearing for an Egyptian convert to Christianity from Islam, who has long been seeking legal recognition of his faith, has finally been scheduled after three years of courts dismissing his case (click here for more information). The hearing for Mohammed Hegazy (27) is scheduled for April 27. His lawyer said of the hearing, "This is a good step. We have presented all our documents and I think next time he might be granted approval." (Source: Al-Masry Al-Youm)

Pray that Mohammed's Christian faith will be legally recognized. Ask God for continued safety for Mohammed and his family, as they have received death threats. Pray that other converts who are seeking legal recognition of their faith will be encouraged and strengthened by Mohammed's hearing.

To learn more about the plight of Egyptian Christians, go to the Egypt Country Report. To watch a video about Mohammed and his family, click here.