ISTANBUL (Morning Star News) – Five Christian converts arrested last year in Iran went on trial on Sunday (March 10) for leaving Islam and were handed enormous bail terms. A judge in Shiraz set bail at $200,000 for Mohammed Roghangir and $80,000 for the other four. The next date for the trial has not been […]
Five Iranian Christians on Trial for Practicing Faith
Judge sets massive bail terms for converts accused of ‘threatening national security.’
March 12, 2013 By -
Two Egyptian Boys Convicted of Desecrating Koran, but Released
Judge quietly sends Coptic Christian children home; appeal denied.
March 6, 2013 By -
CAIRO, Egypt (Morning Star News) – A court in Egypt has quietly found two Coptic Christian boys guilty of “showing contempt for Islam” but only remanded them to the custody of their parents, an attorney for one of the children said. In a case of alleged blasphemy that inflamed passions in provincial Egypt, a judge […]
Iranian-American Pastor Abedini Writes of Torture, Pressure to Renounce Faith
Letter from Evin Prison in Iran reveals abuse by officials, inmates.
February 25, 2013 By -
ISTANBUL (Morning Star News) – An Iranian-American pastor imprisoned for planting house churches in Iran years ago writes that he is undergoing torture, death threats, and pressure to renounce his faith from prison officials and inmates. Saeed Abedini, 32, described his ordeal in a letter to family members that was released by his U.S.-based attorneys. […]
Christians in Syria Targeted for Kidnapping
Criminal gangs collude with Islamic extremist mercenaries, refugees say.
February 19, 2013 By -
ISTANBUL (Morning Star News) – In a poor gypsy neighborhood of Istanbul, a Syrian Orthodox refugee from Syria says he worked as a dentist in Aleppo as long as he could after fighting broke out in 2011; he finally fled when lack of food, electricity, water, and constant fear of sniper-fire and kidnapping of Christians made […]
Muslim Villagers in Egypt Attack Church
Second assault on Christian properties in province in less than five weeks.
February 17, 2013 By -
CAIRO, Egypt (Morning Star News) – Muslim villagers in Egypt’s Fayoum Province attacked a church this weekend – pelting four Christians with rocks, setting parts of the church building on fire and tearing down a cross atop the structure, witnesses said. The second assault on property of the province’s Coptic Christians in a little over […]
Anti-Christian Hostility Heats Up amid Unrest in Egypt
Two children to be tried for insulting Islam; family imprisoned for reconverting.
February 3, 2013 By -
JERUSALEM (Morning Star News) – Among files on arrested converts from Islam, kidnapped Christian girls and beaten monks piling up on the desk of a noted lawyer in Egypt, on top is the case of two boys about to be tried for allegedly showing contempt of Islam. Attorney Karam Gabriel said anti-Christian hostilities in the […]
Iran Sentences Pastor Abedini to Eight Years in Prison
Iranian-American church leader accused of ‘threatening national security.’
January 27, 2013 By -
ISTANBUL (Morning Star News) – Iranian-American pastor Saeed Abedini was sentenced to eight years in Iran’s most notorious prison today for allegedly threatening “national security” by planting house churches years ago. Judge Pir-Abassi of Branch 26 of the Iranian Revolutionary Court sentenced the 32-year-old pastor. Sentencing in this court most likely required the approval of […]
Plot to Assassinate Pastor in Turkey Thwarted
Two of 14 suspects became regulars at church.
January 18, 2013 By -
ISTANBUL (Morning Star News) – Police in Turkey arrested 14 people for planning to assassinate a pastor in Izmit, 62 miles (100 kilometers) east of Istanbul, during an evangelistic event this week. Of the 14 suspects, two attended the church for a year claiming to be Christians, said the target of the plot, pastor Emre […]
Will We Be Their Voice?
Bill would create special envoy for religious minorities in the Middle East/South Central Asia.
January 17, 2013 By -
(Morning Star News) – Christians worldwide just celebrated the birth of Jesus. For many in the West this was a festive season marked by worship services, gift-giving and time with family and friends. But for the church in the Middle East, fear of persecution cast a long, dark shadow over the Christmas holiday. Oppression […]
Iranian-American Detained in Iran Facing Death Penalty
Pastor beaten, threatened with hanging.
January 15, 2013 By -
ISTANBUL (Morning Star News) – An Iranian-American who will go on trial in Iran on Monday (Jan. 21) for apostasy, or leaving Islam, has been beaten and threatened with the death penalty during interrogation, sources said. Saeed Abedini, 32, will have his case handled by a judge notorious for handing death sentences to human rights […]