Release International

A Christian in south Bhutan has been jailed for three years for 'attempting to promote civil unrest' – simply for showing films about Christianity.

Forty-year-old Prem Singh Gurung was arrested four months ago after complaints that he was screening Christian films in the remote villages of Gonggaon and Simkharkha. He was recently convicted by a local court in Gelephu, on the Indian border.

The villages Gurung visited are virtually inaccessible and can only be reached by trekking for between 24 and 48 hours from the nearest road, according to Compass Direct news agency. It is believed that Gurung and some friends carried a projector and a generator into the villages on foot.

Gurung, who is an ethnic Nepalese, reportedly invited villagers to watch Nepali movies and showed Christian films between the features. Government lawyers were unable to prove in court that Gurung had 'promoted civil unrest' and so had had to content themselves with the charge of 'attempting to promote civil unrest'. He was also charged with violation of a Bhutanese law requiring authorities to examine all films before public screening.

Buddhism is the state religion in Bhutan, which borders India and China. In July, the Government proposed anti-conversion laws similar to those in force in some states in neighbouring India, which have been used to curtail Christian activities.

(Source: Compass Direct)

• Pray that Gurung will be able to appeal against this conviction and sentence.
• Pray that God will touch the hearts of people who have seen Gurung's films so that many will come to Christ.

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