Release International

In India youths murdered a 58-year-old Christian in front of his wife after he told them to stop shouting anti-Christian slogans outside his home.

Mr S Stanley tried to return to his house to call the police. But the gang stabbed him in the back, neck and stomach. He died at the scene. The youths then beat his wife before escaping.

The Global Council of Indian Christians has condemned the attack, claiming Stanley was targeted because of 'his faith'. Attacks against Christians continue across India.

In Ethiopia, Christians say police helped extremists set fire to churches in a largely Muslim area. They say the mob planned to kill key Christian leaders in the attacks last March then take the rest to a mosque to force them to convert to Islam.

Before the army could intervene the mob beat up the 76-year-old gatekeeper of the Lutheran Church. 

'They not only burned the church, they started to burn the room I was in. The fire was all over my clothes. They thought I was dead. But when they found out I was alive they started to throw stones. The stones hit me all over my body 'on my head and my hands'. 

Werkena had his right hand and left arm broken during the brutal attack. His left arm was so badly damaged it may have to be amputated. He was also beaten on the neck.

'They brought swords, and while they were preparing to slaughter me on my neck the federal police came in and rescued me.' (Voice of the Martyrs, Canada).

In neighbouring Eritrea, officials have arrested and imprisoned the pastor of one of the last remaining free Christian churches in the country. Pastor Habtom, who leads one of Eritrea’s largest congregations, has been a church leader for 30 years. (Voice of the Martyrs, USA).

The trial of a Christian woman in Pakistan, who's accused of blasphemy against Mohammed, has had to be moved to prevent violent demonstrations.

Martha Bibi Masih was arrested after a violent mob stormed her house in January. They claimed she had made 'insulting remarks' about Mohammed.

Her trial had to be moved 28 miles to safety and her husband and five children are in hiding to prevent revenge attacks.

And in Indonesia, Christians are to be prevented from graduating from school and getting married - if they haven't passed exams in Koranic law.

The local government in Western Sumatra is bringing in the law next year. All students will have to pass tests on Koranic law. Some observers see it as an attempt to convert non-Muslims to Islam.

Release International serves the persecuted Church in 30 nations. For video reports download our monthly webcast World Update - available from the Release International website: www.releaseinternational.org

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

For further information, please contact Andrew Boyd on 01730 301905 or Release International on 01689 823491 or by email at info@releaseinternational.org

Through our international network of missions RI serves persecuted Christians in 30 countries, supporting pastors and Christian prisoners and their families, supplying Christian literature and Bibles, and working for justice. RI is a member of the UK organisations Global Connections, the Evangelical Alliance and the Micah Network.

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