PAKISTAN: Asia Bibi released, but not yet free
Asia Bibi was finally released from Multan prison on 7 November and flown to Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, where she is being held under heavy security.
TURKEY: David Byle forced to leave country
Canadian-American Christian worker David Byle left Turkey after being issued with a deportation order following his detention on October 13, while his family remains in the country.
EGYPT: Seven Christians shot dead in Minya bus attack
At least seven Christians were shot dead and 19 were injured in a terrorist attack on buses carrying pilgrims to a monastery in Minya on Friday 2 November
PAKISTAN: Asia Bibi barred from leaving country
The government of Pakistan has agreed to place Asia Bibi’s name on the country’s Exit Control List (pictured) , meaning that she will not be allowed to leave Pakistan.
PAKISTAN: Supreme Court acquits Asia Bibi and orders release
On 31 October, Pakistan’s Supreme Court declared Asia Bibi innocent of blasphemy and ordered her immediate release from prison.
Asia Bibi case raised in Dáil
On 24 October, the case of Asia Bibi (Pakistan) was raised by Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin during Leader’s Questions in the Dáil.
IRAN: Ebrahim Firouzi refused medical treatment
Ebrahim Firouzi has been continually refused medical treatment for severe toothache to the extent that he is unable to eat in prison in Iran.
TURKEY: Expatriate Christian detained and issued with deportation order
On 13 October, Turkish authorities detained an expatriate Christian worker in Ankara, held him overnight and issued him with a deportation order.
NIGERIA: Boko Haram kills hostage; Leah Sharibu to be “slave for life”
Boko Haram has killed another aid worker and announced that it would keep kidnapped school girl Leah Sharibu as “slave for life”.
TURKEY: Andrew Brunson released
A court in Izmir has ordered the release of US Pastor Andrew Brunson and the removal of his electronic tag after two years of imprisonment.
PAKISTAN: Supreme Court reserves judgment in Asia Bibi’s appeal
The court highlighted discrepancies in evidence but did not give a date for the announcement of its verdict.
PAKISTAN: Asia Bibi’s final appeal to be heard on Monday 8 October
Pakistan’s Supreme Court has announced that the long-awaited final appeal of Asia Bibi against her death sentence for blasphemy will begin on Monday 8 October.
NIGERIA: Fulani militants kill 17 Christians in Jos
Armed Fulani militants killed 17 Christians in their homes in Jos, capital of Plateau state, on 27 September.
CHINA: From house church to street church
Chinese authorities have shut down Zion Church, one of Beijing’s largest unregistered churches – the church has announced that from now it will hold services outdoors.
“Pray that God will keep the Indian church faithful”
Shibu Thomas asked delegates at Church in Chains’ annual conference to pray for the church in India, which he said is going through an unprecedented time of persecution.
NIGERIA: Boko Haram threatens to kill Leah Sharibu and two other hostages
Boko Haram has killed one of three humanitarian workers it abducted in March and has threatened to kill the other two and Christian schoolgirl Leah Sharibu unless the Nigerian government meets its demands.
INDIA: Updates on injured pastors
Conference speaker Shibu Thomas has provided updates on the four pastors who featured in the recent Church in Chains Postcard Campaign.
INDIA: Police charge 271 Christians in Uttar Pradesh
Police in Uttar Pradesh have charged 271 members of a large Pentecostal church with “spreading lies about Hinduism and drugging people to try and convert them to Christianity”.
CHINA: 116 pastors issue joint statement on new regulations
116 Chinese pastors have released a joint statement protesting against the sharp increase in religious freedom violations by authorities in the past six months.
CHINA: Churches closing all over the country
Christian persecution and church closures in China have risen significantly since the implementation of newly revised Religious Affairs Regulations on 1 February 2018.