TURKEY: Judge refuses to release Andrew Brunson
On 18 July, a judge in Izmir ruled that US pastor Andrew Brunson be sent back to prison. The next hearing has been scheduled for 12 October.
NIGERIA: Survivors of Plateau attacks tell their stories
Survivors of the Fulani attacks of 23-24 June on predominantly Christian communities in Plateau state have told their stories of the violent raids that left over 200 people dead and thousands displaced.
RUSSIA: Protestants targeted in Nizhny Novgorod
Russia’s security service is targeting Protestants in World Cup host city Nizhny Novgorod.
NIGERIA: Over 200 killed in Plateau State by Fulani militants
Fulani herdsmen killed at least 238 people in predominantly Christian areas near Jos in Plateau state in a series of attacks over the weekend of 23 – 24 June.
INDIA: Pastor imprisoned after accusation of forced conversions
Dependra Prakash Maleywar, a pastor in Uttar Pradesh, was filing affidavits on 18 June stating that 16 converts had become Christians of their own free will when a mob of Hindu extremists accused him of forcible conversion and had him arrested.
CHINA: Pastor Yang Hua released from prison
Pastor Yang Hua was released from prison on 19 June after completing his two and a half year sentence.
EGYPT: Churches attacked over building permits
Islamist mobs are attacking churches over the granting of government permits.
NORTH KOREA: What does the Singapore summit mean for persecuted Christians?
The summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un on 12 June has been closely analysed around the world for its implications for US/North Korean relations, for peace on the Korean peninsula and for human rights.
CHINA: 17 Christians arrested for commemorating Tiananmen Square victims
Police in Chengdu, Sichuan arrested 17 members of Early Rain Blessing Church who were attempting to hold a prayer service on 4 June to commemorate the victims of the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre.
INDIA: Pastor and his mother harassed at police station
Tamil Nadu pastor was summoned to the local police station where he and his mother were harassed by the officers in charge.
CHINA: Pastor and two hundred church members detained
Police raided Early Rain Blessing Church in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on 12 May and detained the pastor and two hundred church members.
RUSSIA: Churchgoer and two police guards killed in attack on Chechen church
A churchgoer and two police guards were killed when four gunmen stormed a Russian Orthodox church in Chechnya on Saturday 19 May.
INDONESIA: Pastor sentenced to four years in prison
Pastor Abraham Ben Moses has been sentenced to four years in prison for blasphemy.
ERITREA: Remembering the prisoners (living and dead)
A minute’s silence was held during the annual vigil on behalf of Christian prisoners at the Eritrean Embassy in London – to remember prisoners of conscience who died during the past year as well as two long-term supporters of Eritrean Christian prisoners.
INDONESIA: Extremist family bombs three churches
An Islamist family has bombed three churches in Surabaya, capital of East Java province, killing thirteen people.
NORTH KOREA: Kim Dong Chul released with two others and flown to USA
On 9 May, US businessman and missionary Kim Dong Chul was released, along with US citizens Kim Hak-song and Kim Sang-duk (also known as Tony Kim), who had also been detained in North Korea.
TURKEY: Andrew Brunson returns to prison
Andrew Brunson’s second court hearing was held on Monday 7 May, but after it he was returned to prison to await a third hearing set for 18 July.
NIGERIA: Leah Sharibu’s mother begs government to facilitate her release
Rebecca Sharibu has begged the government to facilitate the release of her daughter Leah, who is being held by Boko Haram.
NORTH KOREA: Kim Dong Chul moved from labour camp to hotel
US missionary and businessman Kim Dong Chul has been moved from labour camp to a Pyongyang hotel.
NIGERIA: Christians protest continued massacres by Fulani herdsmen
Christians across Nigeria protested peacefully on 29 April against continuing Fulani violence, following the massacre of nineteen Christians in a church in Benue state.