Barnabas Briefs: Iran, Vietnam & Indonesia persecution

IRAN: CHRISTIAN CONVERT JAILED FOR A YEAR ON EVANGELISM CHARGES

Iran, January 15, 2013: A convert from Islam to Christianity has been jailed for a year on charges relating to evangelism activities.

Hossein Saketi Aramsari, known as “Stephen” to his friends, had been arrested in Golestan province on 23 July. While awaiting his trial, he was held in solitary confinement for over three months.

Before receiving his final sentence, Hossein had been granted bail for conditional release, but for unknown reasons, the judicial authorities prevented his family from posting the required sum.

VIETNAM: TWO CHRISTIANS JAILED FOR DEFENDING RELIGIOUS FREEDOM RELEASED

Vietnam, January 15, 2013: Two Christians jailed for defending human rights and religious freedom have been released.

Ngo Van Khoi (53) and Nguyen Van Hai (43) were set free on 22 December, enabling them to celebrate Christmas with their families.

The pair were arrested in June and subsequently jailed on spurious charges of “disturbing public order”.

Their case prompted a series of protests in Vietnam and attracted international media attention.

INDONESIA: FIVE CHURCHES FORCED TO STOP CONSTRUCTION WORK OVER LAST MONTH

Indonesia, January 15, 2013: Local authorities in the province of Jambi, Sumatra, have forced at least five churches to stop construction work over the last month.

In the most recent case, in Pasir Putih, the village leader said that the church lacked the required building permit, and the local police chief said that a church in the area would be a source of “social disorder”.

The local government intends to build houses on the church construction site.

It is extremely difficult for a church in Indonesia to obtain a building permit; the convoluted process can take up to ten years, and even if permission is granted, officials may still block projects under pressure from radical Islamic elements.

– barnabas team