An appellate court in Algeria upheld the conviction of a Protestant pastor for illegal worship. The pastor, a leader in the national Protestant community, faces imprisonment and a suspended sentence following an initial ruling in 2023. The case is now pending before the Supreme Court. Advocacy groups report that authorities have closed most Evangelical churches since 2019, citing building code violations. This crackdown targets local converts, with dozens of Christians arrested in recent years. The government restricts religious freedom through laws punishing minority worship practices, disproportionately affecting believers in the region.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by M Usman Manzoor on UnsplashPersecuted church
A family court in Pakistan has annulled the marriage of a young Christian woman who was abducted and coerced into converting to Islam. The court ruled that her consent was invalid due to coercion during captivity. An international legal organization supported her defense, leading to the verdict. The defendant did not appear in court. The victim’s mother expressed gratitude for the justice obtained, hoping her daughter can resume her education. This case highlights broader efforts to prevent forced conversions and marriages affecting religious minorities in the region, emphasizing the need for legal protection for vulnerable communities.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Ali Muhammad on UnsplashPersecuted church
Alliance Defending Freedom reports that its Asia team has assisted 55 cases in Pakistan since 2019, rescuing 17 Christian minors from forced marriages and conversions. The group highlights specific incidents involving girls who were abducted, abused, and coerced into Islam. According to the outlet, legal loopholes often allow abductors to evade prosecution by claiming marriages are lawful. ADF is supporting legal challenges to annul these unions and protect victims, describing the situation as a severe human rights crisis affecting young Christian girls in the region.
Federal prosecutors in Brazil have filed a special appeal to reopen criminal charges against veterinary student Isadora Borges. The case, which was dismissed in March 2026 by the Federal Regional Court of the 5th Circuit, involved accusations of transphobia stemming from her 2020 social media posts. Borges previously faced up to ten years in prison for expressing views on gender ideology. The prosecution now seeks review by the Superior Tribunal of Justice in Brasilia. Alliance Defending Freedom, which provides legal support to Borges, argues the state is attempting to silence free speech. The group highlights this as part of a broader pattern of censorship in Brazil following a 2019 Supreme Federal Tribunal ruling. (21 October 2026)
Former Finnish Interior Minister Päivi Räsänen faces a third trial before the Supreme Court in Finland regarding charges of agitation against a minority group. She was previously acquitted by both the District Court of Helsinki and the Court of Appeal for comments made in a church pamphlet, a radio debate, and a social media post. The State prosecutor appealed the acquittals, arguing her biblical views on marriage and sexuality constituted hate speech. According to Alliance Defending Freedom, which supports her, the case highlights risks to free speech and religious freedom under Finland's current laws. The outcome may influence free expression standards across Europe under EU regulations.
Finnish Parliamentarian Päivi Räsänen has appealed to the European Court of Human Rights following a conviction by Finland’s Supreme Court. On 26 March 2026, the court ruled 3–2 that Räsänen and Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola committed hate speech by making a 2004 church booklet available to the public. The court fined them and ordered the text destroyed, though it acquitted them regarding a 2019 tweet. Räsänen argues the ruling violates her freedom of expression. The case, supported by Alliance Defending Freedom, marks a significant legal battle for free speech and religious liberty in Europe. Räsänen also faces travel restrictions in the UK due to the conviction.
An employment tribunal is scheduled for February 2-4, 2028, in Newcastle, UK, for Anita Meston, a teacher dismissed from Biddick Academy in Sunderland. Meston claims discrimination after the school terminated her contract in March 2025 for briefly stating she was pro-life and pro-Israel during class discussions. She is supported by Alliance Defending Freedom, arguing her protected beliefs were the cause of dismissal. A petition against the decision has gathered over 21,000 signatures. The case highlights concerns regarding free speech and religious expression in UK schools.
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