A South Korean court has ruled that the Church of God, designated as a cult by major denominations, must demolish a building under construction in the Gamil district of Hwaseong and return the land to the Korea Land & Housing Corporation (LH). The Suwon District Court Gyeonggi Branch ordered the church to pay approximately 6.31 billion won to the LH. The ruling addresses a dispute over a religious plot where the church allegedly paid excessive premiums during a 2020 purchase, violating public housing regulations that restrict resale for profit. The court also mandated the cancellation of ownership transfer registrations associated with the site.
Translated from 한국어
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Elliot Gouy on UnsplashPersecuted church
The late Tak Myung-hwan, founder of the International Institute for Religious Issues in South Korea, endured persistent threats and legal battles while exposing groups masquerading as orthodox denominations. According to his memoirs, he received death threats and had explosives planted in his vehicle after issuing statements against cults. He also faced defamation lawsuits and injunctions for articles identifying these groups as heretical. Despite pressure from organizations using legitimate church names to deceive believers, he continued his investigative work to protect the public from religious deception.
On 6 October, a Russian-controlled court in the occupied Luhansk Region of Ukraine rejected the appeal of Baptist Pastor Vladimir Rytikov against his deportation. The Federal Security Service (FSB) labeled him a security threat, allegedly for leading an unregistered church, though specific details were not provided. Rytikov, who has lived in Krasnodon for 67 years, faces expulsion after officials annulled his residence permit. He stated that his family ties and long-term residence were ignored by the court. This case highlights ongoing Russian efforts to prosecute religious leaders for missionary activity in occupied territories.
A court in Kazakhstan sentenced an independent Orthodox priest to four years in prison on drug-related charges following a closed trial. The cleric denies the allegations, claiming authorities planted synthetic substances at his home to target him for opposing Russia’s war in Ukraine and for seeking to register his independent parish. He has appealed the decision. The case highlights ongoing restrictions on religious freedom and political dissent in Kazakhstan, where officials have repeatedly rejected the registration of his community. This incident underscores the severe challenges faced by independent religious groups in the region.
A woman of Kazakh ethnicity, currently residing in Kazakhstan, faces a five-year prison sentence. Her family reports severe health deterioration and psychological stress. She was convicted for inciting discord after protesting her husband's imprisonment in China. Although her initial appeal failed, she has lodged a cassation appeal citing poor health and lack of malicious intent. The court will hear her case in the future. Meanwhile, other religious trials continue in the region, including cases against Sunni Muslims and an Orthodox priest. She remains under probation restrictions while awaiting her final legal outcome.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by siddharth kushwaha on UnsplashPersecuted church
A young Shia Muslim in Uzbekistan faces a lengthy prison sentence for distributing religious poetry on Telegram. His trial resumed with a judge claiming the content was extremist. Authorities have raided homes of other Shia individuals who fled the country. Additionally, Muslim prisoners of conscience face harsh conditions and delayed releases. The Interior Ministry refused to comment on these cases, citing instructions not to answer questions over the phone. This report highlights the severe persecution faced by religious minorities in the region, with specific details about locations and private individuals removed to protect their safety.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Hongbin on UnsplashPersecuted church
Nine Muslim men are standing trial in a city in Kazakhstan, accused of belonging to the banned Tabligh Jamaat movement. Prosecutors rely on secret recordings made by the National Security Committee and expert analyses to claim the defendants engaged in extremist propaganda. The charges carry potential prison sentences of up to two years. While the defense argues the conversations were religious, not criminal, officials admit no violence was advocated. This case follows a recent trial where twelve others were jailed for similar charges, highlighting ongoing restrictions on religious freedom in the country.
A displaced pastor in northern Nigeria reports that Boko Haram has threatened to execute his wife and sell his daughter into slavery. The militants demand a significant ransom, approximately $33,500, one year after the family was abducted. The pastor, living as a refugee, states he cannot afford the payment. Human rights advocates and church leaders attribute these actions to a broader campaign by extremist groups to target Christian leaders and communities in northeastern Nigeria. The ultimatum leaves the pastor with no viable options to save his family from harm or enslavement.
Malawi Bishop Medram Chirwa remains in custody after a magistrates’ court ruled it lacks jurisdiction over the case linked to the death of Tathokoza Salimu. The magistrate ordered his remand at Maula Prison pending proceedings in the High Court, which holds exclusive authority. No plea has been entered, and guilt remains unproven. Police arrested Chirwa after call logs showed he was with Salimu, whose body was found in Dowa district. While legal processes continue, social media scrutiny intensifies, highlighting the reputational challenges facing the Fountain of Victory Church before any court verdict.
Medan, Indonesia: The North Sumatra Regional Police have designated RDLG as a suspect for alleged religious insult via a TikTok live stream. Police Director Kombes Pol. Dr. Bayu Wicaksono announced the arrest on October 28, 2026, following a cyber patrol that identified offensive content posted from the suspect's home in Medan. The suspect was apprehended on October 27 and confessed to using inappropriate language targeting Christianity. Authorities seized an iPhone 14 and filming equipment. The suspect faces charges under the new Criminal Code, with an initial 20-day detention. Police urge the public to use social media responsibly to maintain religious harmony. (Gs/Mdn).
Translated from Bahasa Indonesia
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Ilie Barna on UnsplashPersecuted church
Courts in seven Russian regions have banned twelve Council of Churches Baptist communities for meeting without state registration or notification. Prosecutors argue that this failure hinders state oversight and threatens public order. The practice of imposing such prohibitions increased notably in 2024 and 2025, with most bans occurring in the Krasnodar Region. Despite court orders, many communities continue to worship. Meanwhile, new legislative amendments propose restricting religious services in residential premises, which could further impact unregistered groups. This trend affects Baptists primarily, though other minorities may also face legal risks under the current regulatory framework.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Sabeer Darr on UnsplashPersecuted church
Christians and church leaders in Pakistan commemorated the 25th anniversary of a 2001 attack at a church in a southern city. Masked gunmen killed 18 worshippers during a service. Officials and survivors renewed calls for state protection and religious freedom. A Christian organization demanded the implementation of minority rights judgments. A senior lawyer noted that justice remains incomplete because primary suspects died in police encounters. Families continue to seek accountability for the tragedy that left deep scars on the community, highlighting ongoing struggles for safety and legal redress for believers in the region.
Andre Ruddock, on trial in Kingston, Jamaica, for the 2021 killing of Taneka Gardner at a St James church, testified that he questioned the murder charge after initially confessing. A former detective stated Ruddock asked who the victim was when informed of the charge, then demanded a lawyer for conspiracy charges. This occurred days after Ruddock gave a video-recorded caution statement in Montego Bay without legal counsel. He is accused of killing Gardner on orders from the late Dr. Kevin Smith. The prosecution’s final witness, a pathologist, is scheduled to testify next.
Pastor Julio Dumano has returned to his congregation in Springfield, Ohio, after two months in ICE custody. His release coincides with the Trump administration's decision to end Temporary Protected Status for Haitians by July 2026. This policy shift has sparked fear of deportation among the local Haitian community, which has grown significantly in recent years. While Dumano was detained without clear explanation, community advocate Margery Koveleski reports a surge in inquiries regarding legal status. The rapid demographic change has strained local resources, leading to both economic support and social tension. Dumano denies false rumors about the community, emphasizing their lawful contributions to the region.
North Sumatra police arrested TikToker Ritman Marbun for blasphemy after he insulted Jesus Christ during a live stream. Authorities state the motive stems from economic disappointment and declining popularity as a content creator. The suspect was charged under the new Criminal Code and detained for 20 days. Although Marbun later apologized, claiming mental distress caused the outburst, police are still investigating potential psychological factors. The incident went viral after he challenged viewers to report him, leading to widespread social media backlash and his subsequent arrest in Medan.
A court in Mombasa, Kenya, has convicted Paul Mackenzie and 29 other leaders for the deaths of 190 children and one adult. The group, known as “Good News,” operated in Shakahola and was described by international media as an end-times obsessed cult. Witnesses testified that Mackenzie brainwashed followers and used guards to prevent escape during forced fasts. Medical evidence classified most deaths as starvation. The trial, which began in 2024, concluded with magistrate Diana Kavedza delivering the verdict. Mackenzie maintains his innocence, claiming he did not force fasting. Authorities discovered hundreds of bodies in mass graves following reports of disappearances in 2023. Mackenzie faces additional charges including terrorism.
Spain's Televisión Española aired a report on the history of Protestants during the Franco dictatorship. The program, titled Buenas Noticias TV, features historians and church leaders discussing the persecution faced by evangelicals after 1939. The segment highlights church closures, clandestine worship, and censorship. It also notes key milestones, including the 1967 Religious Freedom Law and the 1969 Evangelical Congress in Barcelona. The report emphasizes how the community grew despite repression, leading to significant religious freedom in modern Spain. This broadcast aims to increase social understanding of this lesser-known historical period.
Gunmen attacked a farm in a village in northern Nigeria, killing a farmer and injuring a pastor. Another man remains missing. A community member confirmed the incident to journalists in a nearby city, condemning the violence and urging security agencies to investigate and protect residents. The Plateau State Police Command spokesperson did not respond to inquiries. The attack highlights ongoing security challenges in the region, where Christians face severe persecution. This incident underscores the urgent need for improved safety measures for believers and local residents in this volatile area.
Several developments in US Christianity were highlighted recently. An evangelistic ministry founded by an automotive industry icon is helping Generation Z Christians share their faith on social media. Meanwhile, James Meeks, founding pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Chicago, retired after 38 years, handing leadership to Pastor Charlie Dates. The Good News Club continues expanding in US schools. A global conference on theology and pastoral training attracted 500 participants from over 80 countries. Additionally, Covenant Eyes acknowledged concerns about its accountability software being used to monitor churchgoers, and Barna Group head advised youth ministries to involve young people as participants rather than consumers in the Gospel mission.
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