PAKISTAN: Asia Bibi still in protective custody
More than a month after her acquittal was announced, Asia Bibi is still in protective custody and has not yet been reunited with her daughters.
NORTH KOREA: Have things changed for Christians this year?
Eric Foley of Voice of the Martyrs Korea, which supports persecuted Christians in North Korea, explains why 2018 has been the hardest year for him in his work.
UZBEKISTAN: Tashkent Baptist church raided
On Sunday 25 November, military and police officials raided a Tashkent Baptist church and detained fourteen members for interrogation.
UZBEKISTAN: More raids on Christian gatherings
Police raided a home in Pap, eastern Uzbekistan, on 19 November and detained eight Christians who had gathered for a meal and Bible reading.
IRAN: Two Christians detained in Mashhad and Karaj
On 16 November, security agents detained Behnam Ersali in Mashhad and his friend Davood Rasooli in Karaj.
INDIA: Church building burned to ashes in Uttar Pradesh
In the early hours of 16 November, extremists set fire to a church building in Ahladpur village and burned it down.
PAKISTAN: Irish Christians stand up for Asia Bibi
Protesters were joined By Brendan Howlin TD as they gathered outside the Embassy of Pakistan in Dublin to protest and pray for Asia Bibi.
Asia Bibi Protest & Prayer Vigil Gallery
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.