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In Indonesia, an Islamic extremist who has admitted to beheading three Christian high school girls has confessed to a string of other murders. He has admitted to killing a church minister; beheading a village chief, shooting a Christian attorney and bombing a church. Lilik Purnomo described his acts of violence as 'a gift' to celebrate the end of Ramadan.

That's the top story in Persecution Now, the new weekly news roundup of the persecuted church by Release International.

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PERSECUTION NOW

Welcome to Persecution Now, the weekly bulletin of Release International, bringing you the latest news of the persecuted Church direct to your desktop.

Our top story: In Indonesia, an Islamic extremist who has admitted to beheading three Christian high school girls has confessed to a string of other murders. He has also admitted to killing a church minister; beheading a village chief, shooting a Christian attorney and bombing a church.

In a written statement, Lilik Purnomo told the court his acts of violence two years ago were 'a gift' to celebrate the end of Ramadan. He described himself as 'the execution co-ordinator'. [Compass Direct]

In Pakistan a court has acquitted a Christian charged with blasphemy and released another on bail. Shahbaz Masih was sentenced to life for allegedly tearing up a copy of Koran in a graveyard. He has already served five years in jail.

The judge overturned the verdict on grounds that Shabaz was mentally handicapped, which was already known at the time of his trial.

He also admitted no-one had seen Masih commit the offence.

Another Christian, Shahid Masih, stands accused of ripping out pages from the Koran. He has been released on bail.

Christians continue to campaign for the repeal of Pakistan's blasphemy laws. The defence lawyer says the lives of both believers are now at risk. [Compass Direct]

In the UK, a magistrate has found himself in the strange position of taking the Lord Chancellor 'Britain's most senior legal advisor' to court.

Andrew McClintock, who has served in British courts for 18 years, claims he was forced to resign his post on grounds of conscience. 

Mr McClintock often heard cases where he had to place vulnerable children into care. He objected to placing them with same-sex couples. But since the Civil Partnerships Act, he was obliged to do so against his religious beliefs. [CSW]

And in a clampdown in the port city of Assab, the authorities rounded up 25 Christians from their homes, offices and schools. From previous arrests, it is likely they will be put under pressure to recant their faith.

In neighbouring Ethiopia, Muslim extremists set fire to the homes of three Christian families in the village of Begge. The families have sought refuge in a local gospel church.

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Ten other Christian youths from the village have been living in a church building for the last three months after being driven from their homes. Their families threatened to execute them for converting from Islam.

Violence against Christians continues to escalate in Ethiopia and Eritrea. In Eritrea, police and military authorities jailed 68 Christians in three official round-ups since the start of January.

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