ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – A Catholic priest kidnapped in Yemen almost 10 months ago appealed for help in a video released this week by a terrorist group. The Rev. Tom Uzhunnalil was kidnapped on March 4 in Aden, Yemen when a group of militants, thought to belong to an offshoot of the Islamic State (IS) […]
Kidnapped Priest in Yemen Appeals for Help in Video
Islamist terrorists killed 16 at nursing home.
December 30, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
Coptic Christians in Egypt Mourn after Worst Church Bombing in Country’s History
Government claims suicide bomber was responsible.
December 12, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – As government investigators sifted through the scene of Egypt’s worst bombing attack against Christians in the nation’s history, today the families of those who were slain mourned and buried their dead. Yesterday (Dec. 11) morning, at least 24 worshippers were killed and 49 wounded when an explosion ripped through the […]
Muslim Extremists in Egypt Torch Coptic Christian Homes, Businesses
Assailants suspect Copts of turning center into church building.
November 30, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – Dozens of Coptic Christians in Upper Egypt are rebuilding their lives after Muslim extremists on Friday (Nov. 25) attacked them on suspicions that they were converting a meeting hall and community center into a church building. After noon prayers in Al-Nagameesh village in Sohag Governorate, a group of Muslims set […]
Emergency Order Broadens Turkey’s Powers to Deport Foreigners
After deportation of two U.S. Christians, expatriate Christians further unsettled.
October 31, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
(Morning Star News) – An emergency order issued over the weekend makes it significantly easier for Turkey to deport expatriates, further unsettling foreign Christians after the government this month ordered the deportation two U.S. Christians. The directive eliminates the need for a court decision before a foreigner can be deported, amending sections of the 2013 […]
Christians in Iran Appeal Sentence of 80 Lashes for Drinking Communion Wine
Pastor Behnam Irani released.
October 29, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
ISTANBUL (Morning Star News) – Three Iranian Christians sentenced to receive 80 lashes for drinking wine during a Communion service filed an appeal Wednesday (Oct. 25) to have their case overturned, a noted advocacy group reported. In a trial that lasted a mere 10 minutes, the three converts from Islam, Mohammadreza Omidi, Yasser Mossayebzadeh and Saheb […]
Authorities in Turkey Arrest Killers in Malatya Slayings
Five nationalists had been freed after conviction, sentencing.
September 30, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – Authorities in Turkey last night arrested the five Muslim nationalists convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the torture and murder of three Christians in southeast Turkey in 2007. A source told Morning Star News of the arrests last evening, and advocacy group Middle East Concern (MEC) confirmed it […]
After Nine Years, Killers in Malatya, Turkey Slayings Are Convicted, Sentenced
Five nationalists remain free while life sentences are appealed.
September 28, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – After a nine-year legal saga, a Turkish criminal court today sentenced five men to life in prison for the torture and murder of three Christians in southeast Turkey in 2007. The Malatya First Heavy Penal Court found Salih Gurler, Cuma Ozdemir, Abuzer Yildirim, Hamit Ceker and Emre Gunaydin guilty on […]
Iran Suspected of ‘Forcing Confessions’ to Obtain ‘Evidence’ against Church Leader
Five Christians illegally arrested at a picnic.
August 29, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – Five members of an Iranian house church are missing after government agents arrested them on Friday (Aug. 26) without a warrant and took them to an undisclosed location, according to a leading advocacy group. No information is available on the whereabouts of Ramiel Bet Tamraz, Amin Nader Afshar, Hadi Askary, […]
Key Figure in Fight for Religious Freedom in Egypt Freed, Declares Return to Islam
Mohammed Hegazy endured abuse in prison for more than two and a half years.
August 3, 2016 By - 1 Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – After more than two and a half years of unlawful detention and abuse at the hands of the Egyptian government, a prominent convert from Islam to Christianity has issued a public statement declaring he has returned to Islam. Mohammed Hegazy, also known by his Christian name, Bishoy Armia Hegazy, […]
Iran Levels Serious Charge against Noted Church Leader, Beats Another
Pastor faces fabricated charge of “acting against national security.”
August 2, 2016 By - Leave a Comment
ISTANBUL, Turkey (Morning Star News) – Iranian authorities charged a well-known pastor with “acts against national security” and beat another as persecution of Christians continued the past month. Youcef Nadarkhani, a pastor once charged with apostasy and then acquitted in 2012, was charged with acting against national security. Summoned to the 13th Branch of the Revolutionary […]