Tags

Detainment / Arrest

  • Two Christians Detained and Charged

    A church congregation in Vietnam.
    A church in Vietnam.
    Photo: Unsplash / Tu Tran Anh

    Two Montagnard Vietnamese Christians – Pastor Siu Yui and church member Siu Dok – were arrested on June 1st for spreading religious propaganda and allegedly instigating talk of independence for Vietnam's Central Highlands. Authorities claim that these men have been "undermining national unity" and associating with illegal organizations. In addition, they were accused of misrepresenting the current state of religious freedom and democracy in Vietnam through comments shared on social media.

  • Total of 31 Christians Recently Sentenced

    A group of people is sitting on benches in what appears to be a small church.
    A church in China.
    Photo: ChinaAid

    In March 2024, leaders of a house church fellowship in Suizhou, a city located in central China's Hubei Province, were arrested as part of a major crackdown on itinerant ministry workers. In an apparent attempt to minimize public and international attention, authorities conducted the trials in small numbers, often with only one or two defendants at a time.

  • Nine-Year Sentence for Christian Convert

    Ghazal Marzban
    Ghazal Marzban
    Photo: Article18

    In January 2025, Ghazal Marzban was arrested and sentenced to six months' imprisonment and 74 lashes on charges of "propaganda against the regime" and for appearing in public without a hijab. Thankfully, the Christian woman was released after serving two months of her previously ordered sentence.

  • Church Members Charged for Hosting Sunday School

    Three children are laughing together.
    Photo: Unsplash / Wei Chen

    In early May, six Christians were arrested in Kaili, a city located within China's Guizhou province. Authorities accused the believers of fraud and "organizing minors to engage in activities undermining public order." The alleged "crime" leading to these charges was hosting a children's Sunday school program and allowing families to worship together as a church.

  • New Appeal Filed for Imprisoned Christian

    Dr. Augustin Sam'an is smiling.
    Dr. Augustin Sam'an
    Photo: ADF International

    In October 2025, Dr. Augustin Sam'an was arrested and charged with "contempt of Islam" due to the content he shared on his YouTube channel. (More details about his situation are available here.)As a result of the subsequent trial, this Christian scholar/apologist was sentenced on January 3rd to five years of hard labour. Not only were the court proceedings conducted in secret, without due notification given to his family or lawyers, but he was also denied access to legal defence. Finally, Dr. Augustin's lawyers were granted access to the file relating to his case on February 11th.

  • Believer Released Despite Ongoing Arrests of Church Leaders

    Amir Ali Minaei has a pleasant expression on his face.

    Amir-Ali Minaei
    Photo: Article18

    In April 2024, Amir-Ali Minaei was arrested by Iranian authorities and sentenced to 43 months in prison for alleged "propaganda activities against the regime through establishing a house church." The Christian man's sentence was later reduced to 30 months. During his imprisonment, however, he endured physical abuse and suffered from serious heart-related health issues. (View our previously published report.)

  • Pastor John Cao Suffers Major Health Concerns

    John Cao smiles as his wife, daughter, and son visit him in the hospital.
    Pastor John Cao and his family.
    Photo: ChinaAid

    In 2017, Pastor John Cao was arrested by Chinese authorities for allegedly "organizing illegal border crossings." Sentenced to seven years in prison, he was finally freed in March 2024. Following his release, Pastor John hoped to reunite with his wife and two children in the United States, where he holds permanent residency. However, Chinese authorities have withheld the church leader's passport, forcing him to remain in China. (For more details, see our previously published report.)

  • 24 Christians Recently Released!

    Victorious hands with broken handcuffs are silhouetted against a brilliant sunburst.
    Photo: NeedPix

    A report has recently surfaced, indicating that 24 Eritrean believers were released from prison in early April. While most of the freed Christians had been detained for more than two years, one of them endured imprisonment for over 18 years. As is often the case, few details have been made available, and no official explanation was given for the releases.

  • Case Against Believer Adjourned

    Saeid Mansour Abdulraziq is relaxing and smiling.
    Saeid Mansour Abdulraziq
    Photo: CSW

    On April 21st, legal proceedings began in the case against Saeid Abdulraziq, a Christian convert in Egypt. Although the believer has been accused under the country's anti-terrorism laws, advocates believe his arrest is primarily linked to his conversion to Christianity and subsequent involvement in faith-related activities. (To access a previously published report regarding Saeid's case, go to this report.)

  • Christian Leaders Released from Prison

    Han Xiaodong (left), Li Jie (center), and Wang Qiang (right) are happily smiling in front of the banner.
    Church leaders in front of a banner stating,
    ”Dad, welcome home.”
    Photo: ChinaAid

    In August 2022, police raided a family camp run by the Linfen Covenant House Church, resulting in numerous arrests and the closure of both the church and its affiliated school. (For additional details, see these reports.)Among those arrested were Pastor Li Jie, Han Xiaodong and Wang Qiang.