Prisoner’s list
2016
Evin prison
in Teheran
Photo: Flickr.
Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be
removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be
shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,
says the Lord, who has compassion on you.
Isaiah 54, 10
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
Algeria
Prisoners
BOUHAFS SLIMANE (1968)
He was arrested on July 31, 2016 in Setif, accused of
blasphemy against Islam. On August 7, 2016 he was
sentenced to 5 years in prison, in September the
sentence was reduced to 3 years in prison.
China
Prisoners
ALIMJAN YIMIT (1973)
Police arrested Alimjan Yimit on January 12, 2008. On
August 6, 2009, he was charged with 15 years of prison
for «providing state secrets to overseas organizations».
He granted interviews to media outside China. Alimjan
was a house church leader in the Uyghur church.
GONG SHENGLIANG
Gong Shengliang, arrested in China since 2001 and given a life sentence in
prison for his leadership of a large house church movement, is suffering
from lack of medical treatment after suffering a stroke. (Info June 2013)
HUO JUNLONG Paul (1963)
Underground Catholic priest and vicar general of the Baoding diocese, he
was arrested on August 6, 2004 in Hebei province. He is still in prison.
(Info January 2011)
HU YING
A leader in the South China Church arrested in 2000 and given a life
sentence in prison.
China - Prisoners
-1-
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
HU YONG
Leader of the embattled South China house church movement, sentenced
in December 2002 to a life sentence on charges of belonging to a «cult».
JIANG YANLI
Catholic priest, from Qing Yuan County, Hebei. He is still detained. (Info
January 2011)
LI DE Joseph
Catholic priest arrested on May 31, 2010, together with Wang Jianchen in
Beijing area. He was ordained in November 2009 as a priest of the
underground church.
LIU HONGGENG
Catholic priest in Baoding, Hebei. He was arrested in 2003 and is still in
prison. (Info January 2011)
LU GENJUN (1962)
Underground Catholic priest of Baoding diocese, Hebei province.
Sentenced on April 13, 2001, to 3 years of re-education camp, he was
released in spring 2004. He was arrested again on February 17, 2006. He is
still in prison. (Info January 2011)
MA WUYONG (1974)
Underground Catholic priest in Baoding diocese, Hebei province. He was
arrested with nine others on Aug. 6, 2004. He is still detained in Qing Yuan
County detention centre. (Info January 2011)
PANG GUANGZHAO
Underground Catholic priest of Baoding diocese, arrested on July 1, 2003,
in Hebei Province. He is still detained. (Info January 2011)
PAUL MA
Priest arrested in March 2009.
China - Prisoners
-2-
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
SHI ENXIANG Cosmas (1921)
Bishop of the underground Catholic Yixian Diocese, Hebei. Arrested in
April 2001. His whereabouts are unknown. (Info July 2010)
SU ZHEMIN James (1932)
Underground Catholic Bishop of Baoding, Hebei province, detained since
October 1997. At the end of 2003, he was able to talk briefly with some
family members in hospital, but his present whereabouts are unknown.
(Info July 2010)
TAN WEN
Pastor of Muen Church in Urumqi was arrested in a private house on
August 4, 2013 during a church service.
WANG JIANCHEN Joseph (1972)
Catholic priest, arrested in May 2010 in the Beijing area. He had been
ministering in the underground church of Huaian and Wenquan district,
Hebei, for 10 years.
WANG QUANJUN
Catholic priest in Baoding diocese, Hebei Province. He was again arrested
in 2005 and is still in prison. (Info January 2011)
WANG XIONGWEI
Catholic priest in Qing Yuan County, Hebei province. He is still detained.
(Info January 2011)
XU JINSHUI (1936)
Christian arrested in April 1999 and given a life sentence for taking part in
an «anti-revolutionary organization».
ZHANG ZHAGOGI
Pastor, arrested in Nanli and charged with 12 years of prison on July 8,
2014.
China - Prisoners
-3-
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
ZHOU BENYOU (1967)
Christian arrested in October 1994 and given a life sentence.
Released
GONG BANGKUN
Leader of the embattled South China house church movement arrested
and sentenced to death in December 2001. His death sentence has been
commuted to 15 years imprisonment. He was due to be released in
December 2016.
LIU BANGCHENG (1952)
Christian arrested on April 28, 2001, and sentenced to 15 years
imprisonment for alleged swindle. Due to be released in April 2016.
LIU SHUNTING (1974)
Christian arrested in October 1998 and sentenced to 18 years
imprisonment for being a «political criminal». He was due to be released
in October 2016.
YANG RONGLI
Church leader, accused of «illegally occupying farm land»
and «disturbing public transport order by gathering the
masses». She wanted to protest against the fact that
military police and civilians had attacked the church
members and building on September 13, 2009 (Fushan
Church in Linfen City, Shanxi Province). On November 25,
2009, she was sentenced to 7 years of prison. On October
10, 2016 she was released but remains under
government restrictions. She is married to Pastor Wang
Xiaoguang.
China - Released
-4-
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
Under house arrest
GAO ZHISHENG (1964)
Beijing-based human rights and Christian lawyer, Gao
Zhisheng, who had been under house arrest since
November 2007, was taken into custody in January 2009.
On April 6, 2010 he was released for a short period. His
wife and their two children had left China in March 2009
for the USA. Since April 20, 2010, he was detained in an
unknown location. The state-run Xinhua News Agency
reported in December 2011 that Gao Zhisheng had to
serve another 3 years prison sentence. He was released
on August 7, 2014 but remains under house arrest. (Info
January 2015)
WU QINJING Joseph (1969)
Bishop Wu Qinjing has been under house arrest since November 2007.
Unclear status
HUA HUIQI
On September 17, 2009, this prominent house church
leader was seized by the public security bureau and the
state bureau security agents from Fengtai district in
Beijing.
China - Unclear status
-5-
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
Egypt
Prisoners
IBRAHIM FAWZY ABDO and REFAAT FAWZY ABDO
Egyptian authorities sent Ibrahim and Refaat to El Wadi El Gadid
Detention Camp on November 22, 2008. They were wrongly accused of
killing a Muslim. On May 3, 2009, they were released on bail, but the
Minya State Security Services issued a new detention order and arrested
them again on May 20, 2009, for «security reasons.» They are still
detained.
MAKRAM DIAB
Coptic school secretary sentenced to 6 years of prison on March 1, 2012
for «insulting the prophet Muhammad». He is held in Assiut prison.
NADIA MOHAMED ALI
Nadia Mohamed Ali, a Christian lady from Upper Egypt became a Muslim
when she got married in 1990. After the death of her husband she
converted back to Christianity. Her 7 children also converted. The whole
family was sentenced on January 13, 2013, to 15 years of prison.
NASEEM ABDEL-MALAK (1961)
Coptic Christian arrested in late 1997. On November 13, 1997, he was
given a life sentence with hard labour. A medical doctor, director of the
El-Khanka Hospital, accused of having illegally released a mentally ill
Islamic fundamentalist who killed 9 German tourists in Cairo in September
1997. Naseem is married with 2 children.
Egypt - Prisoners
-6-
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
Eritrea
Independent Christians are viewed as enemies of the State by the regime,
a single-party dictatorship headed by Isaias Afewerki. In 2002, all religious
communities other than Islam and the Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran
Church were banned while evangelical groups were forced into illegality.
The latter are undergoing massive persecution. According to estimates of
local officials, 1200 Christians are in prison. Dozens of people have died
due to inhuman jail conditions. Even registered churches are increasingly
becoming victims of repression.
Prisoners
ANTONIOS ABUNE
Head of the Orthodox Church, removed from his position
in 2007 after criticising the Eritrean government for
interference in church activities. Patriarch Antonios, who
has never been charged with any offence, remains under
house arrest and strict state surveillance.
HAILE NAIGZHI
Leader of Fulls Gospel Church, arrested on May 23, 2004
and taken to Wongel Mermera prison in Asmara.
FUTSUM GEBRENEGUS
Eritrea's only psychiatrist. He also served as an Orthodox priest. Arrested
in November 2004 for allegedly being involved in the renewal movement
within the Orthodox Church.
Eritrea - Prisoners
-7-
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
GEBREMEDHIN GEBREGIORSIS
Expert theologian and Orthodox priest also arrested in November 2004
for allegedly being involved in the renewal movement within the
Orthodox Church.
KIDANE WELDOU
Senior pastor of the Full Gospel Church and member of the executive
committee of Gideons International in Eritrea. When his vehicle was
found abandoned in 2005, his wife and 4 children assumed he had been
arrested. Believed to be in Wongel Mermera prison in Asmara.
KIFLU GEBREMESKEL
Founder and senior pastor of Southwest Full Gospel
Church, and member of the executive committee to the
Full Gospel Church of Eritrea. Before he became a fulltime pastor, Dr. Gebremeskel was also a mathematics
lecturer and until 1999 was department and faculty head
at the University of Asmara. He has a Ph.D. in
mathematics from Chicago University. He was arrested in
Asmara in May 2004. His wife and their 4 children have
not been able to visit him.
MERON GEBRESELASIE
Anaesthetist and pastor of Massawa Rhema Church. Arrested on June 3,
2004 in Asmara. He is detained in Wongel Mermera prison.
OGBAMICHAEL TEKLEHAIMANOT
Senior pastor of the Kale Hiwot Church. Arrested for participating in a
Protestant wedding ceremony in Barentu on January 9, 2005. Taken to
Asmara Police Station No. 5, then subjected to 10 months of solitary
confinement and hard labour at Sawa military camp. He was released in
2011 after 6 years spent in prison. Re-arrested 6 months later, after a
fleeing church member, who was being monitored, called him. Now back
in prison in Barentu, where he has been for 11 years in total.
Eritrea - Prisoners
-8-
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
TEKLEAB MENGHISTEAB
Doctor and Orthodox priest arrested in November 2004 for alleged
involvement in the renewal movement within the Orthodox Church.
India
On October 1, 2013, seven innocent Christians were given a life sentence
by the district court of Phulbani in Odisha. They are accused of the
murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati in August 2008. This incident
triggered off the violence against the Christian community in Odisha.
Prisoners
BHASKAR SUNAMAJHI (1984)
Married to Debaki and father of 1 son. He was arrested in
December 2008.
BIJAY KUMAR SUNSETH (1974)
Married to Pabitra and father of 2 sons and 4 daughters.
He was arrested in December 2008.
BUDHADEB NAYAK (1974)
Married to Nilandri and father of 3 sons and 2 daughters.
He was arrested in autumn 2008.
India - Prisoners
-9-
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
DURJO SUNAMAJHI (1981)
Married to Gumili and father of 3 sons and 2 daughters.
He was arrested in October 2008.
MUNDA BADMAJHI (1982)
Married to Bamdiguali and father of 2 sons and 2
daughters. He was arrested in October 2008.
SANATANA BADMAJHI (1980)
Married to Badusi and father of 2 sons and 2 daughters.
He was arrested in October 2008.
Released on bail
GORNATH CHALANSETH (1977)
Married to Ruta and father of 3 sons and 1 daughter. He
was arrested in December 2008. He was released on bail
on April 1, 2016.
India - Released on bail
- 10 -
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
Iran
Prisoners
ABDOLREZA MATTIAS HAGHNEJAD
Member of «Church of Iran» he was arrested on January 11, 2010 in
Shiraz facing charges of apostasy for leaving Islam. He was released on
bail. Arrested again on July 5, 2014 in the northern city of Bandar-e-Anzali.
On August 3, 2014 he was charged with «enmity against God» and in
October 2014 sentenced to 6 years of prison.
AHMAD BAZYAR
He was arrested in Tehran on December 24, 2013.
ALI REZA
He was arrested during a house church meeting on May 25, 2012 and is
detained in Neishabour, Mashhad Prison.
AMIN MAZLOOMI
He was arrested on April 18, 2014 in Tehran.
AMIR HOSSEIN NEMATOLLAHI
He was arrested in Tehran on December 24, 2013.
AMIR KIAN (1987)
He was arrested during a house church service on August 12, 2014. He is
held in Ghezel Hesar prison in Tehran.
BIJAN FAROKHPOUR HAGHIGHI
House church member of «Church of Iran» arrested on October 12, 2012
in Shiraz and released on bail. On July 16, 2013, he was sentenced to 3
years of prison. He started serving his prison sentence in July 2015.
Iran - Prisoners
- 11 -
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
EBRAHIM FIRUZI (1985)
Christian arrested on January 8, 2011 and charged with
apostasy. He was released in autumn 2011. He was rearrested on March 7, 2013. On April 29, 2013 he was
released on bail. On July 15, 2013 he was sentenced to 1
year of prison and 2 years in exile in the border town of
Sarbaz in Sistan and Baluchestan province. He was due to
be released in January, but in March 2015 he was
sentenced to 5 years of prison.
EBRAHIM HOSSIN ZADEH (1982)
Pastor of house church arrested on November 20, 2014
in Shiraz.
EHSAN SADEGHI
He was arrested on April 18, 2014 in Tehran and taken to an unknown
location.
EHMAD HAGHI
He was arrested on September 27, 2014 in Isfahan.
FAEGEH NASROLLAHI
She was arrested in Tehran on December 24, 2013.
FARSHID MODARES AVAL
Christian of Azeri region in Tabriz, was arrested on July 20, 2013.
GEORGE ISAIAN
He was arrested in Tehran on December 31, 2013.
HADI
He was arrested during a house church meeting on May 25, 2012 and is
detained in Neishabour, Mashhad Prison.
Iran - Prisoners
- 12 -
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
HAMID REZA
Christian of Azeri region in Tabriz, was arrested on July 20, 2013.
HAMID REZA BORHANI
He was arrested in Isfahan on September 2, 2014 with his wife Zeinab
Akbari and taken to Dastgerd prison.
HAMID REZA GHADIRI
Christian arrested on May 29, 2013 in Isfahan.
HESHMAT SHAFIEI
He was arrested on September 27, 2014 in Isfahan.
HOMAYOUN SHOKOOHI
Christian arrested on February 8, 2012 in Shiraz and detained in AdelAbad prison. He is married to Fariba Nazemian. They have two children.
He was sentenced to 4 years and 4 months of prison in early June 2013.
He was conditionally released on November 10, 2014. A few days later he
had to return to prison.
HOSSEINI
He was arrested in Tehran on December 24, 2013.
MAHNAZ RAFIEE
She was arrested in August 2013 in Isfahan.
MAJID SHEIDAEI
He was arrested in Tehran on December 31, 2013.
MARYAM ASADI
She was arrested on April 18, 2014 in Tehran.
Iran - Prisoners
- 13 -
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
MARYAM NAGASH ZARGARAN (1978)
Christian lady sentenced to 4 years of prison, detained in
Evin prison in Tehran since July 15, 2013.
MASOUD REZAEI
House church member of «Church of Iran» arrested on October 12, 2012
in Shiraz and released on bail on March 19, 2013. On July 16, 2013 he was
sentenced to 5 years of prison. He started serving his sentence in July
2014.
MASTANEH RASTEGARI
She was arrested in Tehran on December 24, 2013.
MEHDI AMERUNI
House church member of «Church of Iran» arrested on October 12, 2012
in Shiraz and released one week later. On July 16, 2013 he was sentenced
to 3 years of prison. On July 23, 2014 he was summonded to serve his
sentence and taken to Adel Abad prison in Shiraz.
MEHDI CHAGHAKABOUDI
Christian arrested on February 21, 2012 in Kermanshah and detained in
Hafezieh prison.
MEHDI VAZIRI (1986)
He was arrested during a house church service on August 12, 2014. He is
held in Ghezel Hesar prison in Tehran.
MOHAMMAD BAHRAMI
He was arrested in Shoush, Khuzestan on March 6, 2014 and released. In
early April 2014 he was re-arrested.
Iran - Prisoners
- 14 -
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
MOHAMMAD REZA FARID
Christian arrested on May 29, 2013 in Isfahan. Mohammad-Reza Farid and
Saeed Safi are Afghan Christians.They were also administrators of a
Christian blog known as «Nejat-e-Ma» (Our Salvation). Their blog was
blocked by Iranian cyber-police before their arrest.
MOHAMMAD-REZA HOSSEINI
Member of house church «Church of Iran» arrested in March 2012.
MOHAMMAD-REZA PEYMANI
He was arrested in August 2013 in Isfahan.
MOHAMMAD-REZA PIRRI
Christian of Azeri region in Tabriz, was arrested on July 20, 2013. His
whereabouts remain unknown.
MOHAMMAD VAHID ROGHANGIR
House church member of «Church of Iran» arrested on October 12, 2012
in Shiraz and released on bail on March 19, 2013. On July 16, 2013 he was
sentenced to 6 years of prison. On July 5, 2014 he was re-arrested in the
northern city of Bandar-e-Anzali and taken to the prison in Shiraz to serve
his sentence.
MOJTABA BABA KARAMI
Christian arrested on February 21, 2012 in Kermanshah and detained in
Hafezieh prison.
MOLUK DARVISHI
She was arrested in Isfahan on September 3, 2014 and taken to Dastgerd
prison.
MONA FAZLI
House church member, she was arrested on August 9, 2013 in Tehran.
MOSTAFA NADRI
He was arrested in Tehran on December 31, 2013.
Iran - Prisoners
- 15 -
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
NASI ASADI
He was arrested on April 18, 2014 in Tehran.
NASIM ZANJANI
Arrested in spring 2013 in Tehran and sent to Evin prison. She is accused
of organizing house church meetings.
PARHAM FARAZMAND
House church member, arrested on August 9, 2013 in Tehran.
REZA SILAS RABBANI
Christian arrested in Karaj on May 5, 2014 and in October 2014 sentenced
to 6 years of prison.
RONAK SAMAVIT
Arrested in March 2013 in Tehran and sent to Evin prison. She is accused
of organizing house church meetings.
SAEED SAFI
Christian arrested on May 29, 2013 in Isfahan. Mohammad-Reza Farid and
Saeed Safi are Afghan Christians.They were also administrators of a
Christian blog known as «Nejat-e-Ma» (Our Salvation). Their blog was
blocked by Iranian cyber-police before their arrest.
SAHAR MOUSAVI
Christian lady, student activist, arrested on October 24, 2011.
SAM (1986)
Young Christian arrested on January 9, 2013 in Tehran. He allegedly
remains detained.
SARA RAHIMI NEJAD
She was arrested in Tehran on December 31, 2013.
SARA SARDSIRIAN
House church member, she was arrested on August 9, 2013 in Tehran.
Iran - Prisoners
- 16 -
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
SEDIGHEH AMIRKHANI
She was arrested in August 2013 in Isfahan.
SEDIGHEH KIANI
House church member, she was arrested on August 9, 2013 in Tehran.
SHAHIN LAHOUTI
House church member of «Church of Iran» arrested on October 12, 2012
in Shiraz and released on bail. On July 16, 2013 he was sentenced to 2 1/2
years of prison. His prison sentence started in April 2014.
SHAHRAM GHAEDI (1982)
Arrested on February 22, 2012 in Isfahan. He was released on bail on May
1, 2012. On September 27, 2014 he was again arrested in Isfahan. He is a
theatre actor and a member of St. Paul Church in Isfahan.
SHAHRZAD S. (1988)
Young Christian lady arrested on January 9, 2013 in Tehran. She allegedly
remains detained.
SOMAYEH BAKHTIARI
Arrested in March 2013 in Tehran and sent to Evin prison. She is accused
of organizing house church meetings.
SOROUSH SARAEI
House church member of «Church of Iran» arrested on October 12, 2012
in Shiraz and released on bail on March 19, 2013. On July 16, 2013 he was
sentenced to 2 1/2 years of prison. On July 5, 2014 he was re-arrested in
the northern city of Bandar-e-Anzali and taken to the prison in Shiraz to
serve his sentence.
VAHID SAFI
He was arrested on April 18, 2014 in Tehran.
YASHAR FARZIN NO
Christian of Azeri region in Tabriz, was arrested on July 20, 2013.
Iran - Prisoners
- 17 -
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
ZEINAB AKBARI
She was arrested in Isfahan on September 2, 2014 with her husband
Hamid Reza Borhani and taken to Dastgerd prison.
Released
BEHNAM IRANI (1971)
Pastor from Karaj arrested in April 2010, released on bail
and sentenced to 1 year of prison in January 2011. A
previous 5-year suspended sentence was added. He
began serving his sentence on May 31, 2011. In October
2014 he was sentenced to 6 more years of prison. He was
released on October 17, 2016. He is married to Kristina
with two children.
ESKANDAR REZAEI
House church member of «Church of Iran» arrested on October 12, 2012
in Shiraz and released on bail on March 28, 2013. On July 16, 2013, he was
sentenced to 1 year of prison.He started serving his prison sentence in
July 2015 and released in summer 2016.
Released on bail
MAYSAM HOJATI (SOROUSH)
House-church member arrested in Isfahan on December
23, 2015. He already spent 2 months in prison in spring
2012. On January 6, 2016 he was charged with apostasy
and evangelism and released on bail.
VRUIR AVANESSIAN (1952)
Rev. Avanessian was sentenced to 3 1/2 years of prison
on December 5, 2013. He spent 15 days in prison after his
arrest on Christmas 2012 and is awaiting his appeal. He
needs kidney dialysis three times a week.
Iran - Released with ban
- 18 -
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
Released with ban
ABBAS KIANI
Christian arrested on February 20, 2013 in Shahin-Shahr near Isfahan
together with 17 other converts. One month later they were released on
bail until their trial in spring 2015. He was sentenced to 1 year of prison
and 2 years of ban to leave the country.
AKBAR AHMADI
Christian, arrested on February 20, 2013 in Shahin-Shahr near Isfahan
together with 17 other converts. One month later they were released on
bail until their trial in spring 2015. He was sentenced to 1 year of prison
and 2 years of ban to leave the country. Released in spring 2016.
BITA JA’FARI
Christian lady, arrested on February 20, 2013 in Shahin-Shahr near Isfahan
together with 17 other converts. One month later they were released on
bail until their trial in spring 2015. She was sentenced to 1 year of prison
and 2 years of ban to leave the country. Released in spring 2016.
FATEMEH ZAREIE
Christian lady, arrested on February 20, 2013 in Shahin-Shahr near Isfahan
together with 17 other converts. One month later they were released on
bail until their trial in spring 2015. She was sentenced to 1 year of prison
and 2 years of ban to leave the country. Released in spring 2016.
Iran - Released with ban
- 19 -
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
MASOUMEH DASHTI
Christian lady, arrested on February 20, 2013 in Shahin-Shahr near Isfahan
together with 17 other converts. One month later they were released on
bail until their trial in spring 2015. She was sentenced to 1 year of prison
and 2 years of ban to leave the country. Released in spring 2016.
NASRIN KIAMARZI
Christian lady, arrested on February 20, 2013 in Shahin-Shahr near Isfahan
together with 17 other converts. One month later they were released on
bail until their trial in spring 2015. She was sentenced to 1 year of prison
and 2 years of ban to leave the country. Released in spring 2016.
NEDA FOULADI
Christian lady, arrested on February 20, 2013 in Shahin-Shahr near Isfahan
together with 17 other converts. One month later they were released on
bail until their trial in spring 2015. She was sentenced to 1 year of prison
and 2 years of ban to leave the country. Released in spring 2016.
RAMIN BAKHTIARVAND
Christian arrested on February 20, 2013 in Shahin-Shahr near Isfahan
together with 17 other converts. One month later they were released on
bail until their trial in spring 2015. He was sentenced to 1 year of prison
and 2 years of ban to leave the country. Released in spring 2016.
SAMIRA FOULADI
Christian lady, arrested on February 20, 2013 in Shahin-Shahr near Isfahan
together with 17 other converts. One month later they were released on
bail until their trial in spring 2015. She was sentenced to 1 year of prison
and 2 years of ban to leave the country. Released in spring 2016.
SARAH FOULADI
Christian lady, arrested on February 20, 2013 in Shahin-Shahr near Isfahan
together with 17 other converts. One month later they were released on
bail until their trial in spring 2015. She was sentenced to 1 year of prison
and 2 years of ban to leave the country. Released in spring 2016.
Iran - Released with ban
- 20 -
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
Kazakhstan
Under house arrest
BAKHYTZHAN KASHKUMBAYEV (1946)
Presbyterian pastor of Grace church in Astana, was
arrested on May 17, 2013. On February 18, 2014 he was
released but given a 4 year prison sentence and a fine of
CHF 9500. He is under house arrest for 4 years with 3
years of probation. He is married to Alfia.
Mexico
On December 22, 1997, paramilitary troops killed 45 inhabitants of the
pro-Zapatista village of Acteal, near Chenalho. The police did not
intervene. On February 15, 1998, many innocent people were arrested
and falsely accused by the authorities, including dozens of evangelical
Christians belonging to the ethnic Tzotzil minority group. They were
condemned to 35 years of prison. In July 2004, they were transferred to a
high-security prison located far from their homes, at a 7 hours’ drive.
Between 2009 and 2014, several groups of prisoners have been released
after 12 to 18 years spent in jail. As far as we know, one Christian is still
being held in prison.
Prisoners
VICTORIO OYALTE PACIENCIA
Mexico - Prisoners
- 21 -
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
Morocco
Prisoners
JAMAA AIT BAKRIM (1964)
Muslim background believer, sentenced to 15 years of
prison on December 28, 2005, in Agadir. He was accused
of destruction of the goods of others and proselytism and
is detained in Kenitra prison.
Pakistan
Prisoners
ADNAN PRINCE (MASIH) 1987
Young Christian arrested in October 2013 and accused of
blasphemy by his colleague.
AGNES BASHIR (1959)
Christian lady arrested on February 6, 2011 and accused of blasphemy in a
case of land property. She is detained in Faisalabad jail.
ANWAR KENNETH (1941)
Arrested on September 25, 2001 in Lahore, Anwar
Kenneth distributed a pamphlet, the Gospel of Jesus. On
July 18, 2002, he was sentenced to death.He is
imprisoned in New Central Jail Multan. He has not been
executed because of his medical condition (mentally
disturbed). However he is still behind the bars. (Info Oct.
2014)
Pakistan - Prisoners
- 22 -
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
ARSHAD MASIH (1972)
Arshad Masih was arrested on December 28, 2008 and is detained in
Sialkot prison.
ASHIQ KINGRI MASIH (1977)
Catholic man, who had converted to Islam in order to marry a Muslim girl,
has been jailed since May 3, 2000, charged with blasphemy after he tried
to return to his Christian faith as the marriage didn't take place. On June
29, 2002, the Faisalabad District and Sessions Court sentenced him to a
life term in prison. He is still in prison. (Info Oct 2014)
ASIA NOREEN BIBI (1965)
Asia Noreen is the first woman in Pakistan sentenced to death on
November 8, 2010. She was accused by Muslim villagers of blaspheming
Muhammad and defaming Islam and was arrested on June 19, 2009.
FAYAZ MASIH (1985)
Was arrested on October 4, 2010. His land-owner falsely accused him and
village people wanted to burn him. Fayaz had previously refused to work
for him without being paid. He is still in prison. (Info Oct 2014)
IMRAN MASIH (1990)
Arrested in July 2009, he was accused of robbery by his former boss. The
charge was converted from robbery into blasphemy which led to 10 years
of imprisonment. He was attacked by other prisoners and brought to
hospital. After one month he went back to district jail Hazro. (Info Oct.
2014)
REHMAT MASIH (1925)
He was arrested on June 19, 2010 and accused of blaspheming Islam by
his Muslim neighbour. He is in Faisalabad District Jail. He is still in prison.
(Info Oct. 2014)
Pakistan - Prisoners
- 23 -
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
SAAJID INAYAT (1992)
Young Christian arrested on May 18, 2012 in Farooqabad, Punjab
Province. He is falsely accused of desecrating the Quran. He is still in
prison. (Info Oct. 2014)
SAWAN MASIH
Christian arrested in March 2013, accused of blasphemy. He was
sentenced to death on March 27, 2014. He appealed to Lahore High
Court.
SHAFQAT AND SHAGUFTA MASIH
Christian couple from Gojra, arrested on July 20, 2013 and accused of
blasphemy. Shafqat is disabled. They have 3 children, Zain (2001), Danish
(2003) and Saira (2006). The children live with their grandfather
Emmanuel Masih.
WAJIH UL HASSAN (1973)
He was arrested in March 1999 and sentenced to death in 2001 under the
blasphemy law. His family appealed and the sentence was confirmed on
29.09.2010 by the Lahore High Court. He is confined in Sheikhupura Jail
and his appeal against the sentence is pending before the Supreme Court
of Pakistan. He is still in prison. (Info Oct. 2014)
Released on bail
SHAMIM BIBI (1985)
Christian lady arrested on February 28, 2012 and falsely accused of
«blaspheming» the Prophet in Punjab Province. She was released on bail
on November 4, 2012 and is awaiting her trial. She is the mother of a
young daughter. Her relatives converted to Islam and asked her do to the
same.
Pakistan - Released on bail
- 24 -
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
Turkmenistan
Released
UMID GAJAEV / GAJAYEV
Arrested on April 19, 2012 he was sentenced to 4 years of prison. He was
released on February 17, 2015. He is married to Malahat with 3 children,
Daniel (2008), David (2009), Zubeida (2011).
Uzbekistan
Released
TOHAR HAYDAROV (1983)
Muslim background believer arrested in January 2010
and sentenced on March 9, 2010, to 10 years of
imprisonment. His case was fabricated (drugs were found
in his apartment). He was tranferred to a labour camp in
Qarshi. On November 8, 2016 he was released.
Vietnam
Prisoners
DANG XUAN DIEU François Xavier (1980)
Catholic arrested on July 30, 2011 from the Vinh diocese. He was
sentenced to 13 years of prison and 5 years of house arrest on January 9,
2013.
HO DUC HOA Pierre (1975)
Catholic arrested on July 30, 2011. He was sentenced to 13 years of prison
and 5 years of house arrest on January 9, 2013.
Vietnam - Prisoners
- 25 -
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
NGUYEN CONG CHINH (1960)
Pastor of the American Lutheran church of Vietnam,
sentenced on March 23, 2012 to 11 years of prison. He
was arrested in April 2011. He is married to Trân Thi Hông
with 4 children.
NGUYEN DANG MINH MAN (1986)
Young Catholic lady, arrested in summer 2011 and sentenced to 8 years in
prison and 5 years of house arrest.
NGUYEN VAN DAI (1969)
Christian attorney convicted on May 11, 2007 of
«propagandizing against the Socialist Republic of
Vietnam» and sentenced to 5 years of prison and 4 years
of house arrest. His sentence was reduced by 1 year due
to international pressure. He was re-arrested on
December 16, 2015.
NGUYEN VAN DUYET (1981)
Young Catholic arrested on August 7, 2011. He was sentenced to 6 years
of prison and 4 years of house arrest on January 9, 2013.
VO THI THUY (1961)
Catholic lady sentenced to 5 years of prison on March 6, 2012 in the
province of Nghê An for anti-government propaganda.
Under house arrest
DUONG KIM KAI (1959)
Pastor of Mennonite church was arrested on August 16, 2010 and
sentenced to 5 years of prison and 5 years of house arrest on May 30,
2011. He was due to be released in August 2015 and remains under house
arrest.
Vietnam - Under house arrest
- 26 -
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
HO THI BICH KHUONG (1967)
Christian lady of Full Gospel House Church in Northern state Nghe
sentenced to 5 years of prison and 5 years of house arrest on December
29, 2011. She was due to be released in December 2016 and remains
under house arrest.
KSOR Y DU (1965)
Evangelist originally from central Vietnam, he was arrested in January
2010 and sentenced to 6 years of prison and 4 years of house arrest on
November 15, 2010. He is married to Le H'Gioi with a daughter. Ksor Y Du
had spent already 4 years in prison, from 2004 to 2008. He was released
in January 2016 and remains under house arrest.
LE VAN DON (SON) Paul (1986)
Catholic journalist, arrested on August 3, 2011 from Thanh Hoa Diocese.
He was sentenced to 13 years in prison and 5 years under house arrest on
January 9, 2013. In May 2013 his prison sentence was reduced to 4 years.
He was released in August 2015 and remains under house arrest.
NGUYEN DINH CUONG Pierre (1982)
Young Catholic arrested on December 24, 2011 in Vinh. He was sentenced
to 4 years of prison and 3 years of house arrest on January 9, 2013. He
was released in December 2015 and remains under house arrest.
NGUYEN VAN OAI Jean-Baptiste (1982)
Young Catholic arrested on July 30, 2011 and sentenced to 3 years of
prison and 2 years of house arrest on January 9, 2013. He was released in
August 2015 but remains under house arrest.
THAI VAN DUNG (1989)
Young Catholic arrested in August 2011. He was sentenced to 5 years of
prison and 3 years of house arrest on January 9, 2013. He was released in
August 2015 and remains under house arrest.
Vietnam - Under house arrest
- 27 -
Prisoner’s list
December 2016
Released
NGUYEN VAN LY Thaddeus (1946)
Catholic priest arrested in February 2007 and sentenced
in March 2007 to 8 years of prison and 5 years of house
arrest for «opposing the Revolution». As he suffered a
stroke in November 2009 and is paralyzed on one side, he
was released on March 15, 2010 in order to get medical
care. He had already been arrested several times and
detained for about 20 years in total. On July 25, 2011 the
police arrested him again. He was released on May 22,
2016.
PHAN NGOC TUAN (1959)
Member of Lutheran house church arrested on August 10, 2011 in Ho Chi
Minh City. He was sentenced to 5 years of prison on June 6, 2012, accused
of «conducting propaganda aginst the state». He was released in summer
2016.
Vietnam - Released
- 28 -
Prisoner‘s list
2016
This list is meant to stimulate your intercession for the Christian prisoners. It is updated regularly
and revised according to both internal Open Doors information and other external sources. It does in
no way claim to be exhaustive. For various reasons, we will never be able to collect all their names.
These Christians were imprisoned either because of their faith in Jesus-Christ, or because they
belong to a Christian minority. Many were convicted on the basis of false accusations or because
of their Christian activities.
Thank you for your faithful prayer for our brothers and sisters of the persecuted Church. May the
Lord bless you in this ministry!
Sources: Eglises d’Asie, Evangelical Fellowship of India, Forum 18, Cardinal Kung Foundation, Middle
East Concern, Mohabat News, World Watch Ministries, Life for All Pakistan.
Would you like to write to Christians of the persecuted Church? Find out more on our webpage
www.opendoors.ch/letter-writing
Please do not write to the prisoners.
Open Doors
Post Box 147
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