Algerian police recently raided a humanitarian institute in a city in western Algeria, detaining twelve Christians. The group had been meeting in a private building since their chapel was sealed years ago. Authorities confiscated identity documents, phones, and Christian literature, which have not been returned. Men were held overnight for interrogation, while women were released pending further questioning. According to the outlet, the detainees may face charges under Ordinance 06-03 for unauthorized worship, potentially resulting in prison sentences. This incident is part of a broader campaign against Protestant churches in Algeria that has intensified in recent years. The group says many churches have been forced to close.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by lens zone on UnsplashPersecuted church
A pastor's wife in Iran has been summoned to report to a prison to begin serving a lengthy sentence. Her husband, a pastor, is already incarcerated there for a similar term. The couple was convicted for Christian activities, including proselytizing and collusion. The summons was issued recently, following a previous arrest and release on bail for the wife. The family faces a total combined sentence exceeding seventy years for their religious work. The outlet requests prayers for their release and protection, highlighting the severe persecution faced by believers in the region.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Nameless Photos on UnsplashPersecuted church
Authorities in Algeria have intensified interrogations of twelve Christians detained in western Algeria. Police raided a humanitarian institution, confiscating literature and personal documents. A couple from the group faced extended questioning, followed by similar sessions for others. According to Middle East Concern, the detainees may face charges such as unauthorized worship or agitating Muslim faith, which carry prison sentences of two to five years. This action is part of a broader campaign against Protestant churches that has seen most EPA-affiliated congregations sealed or closed since 2017. More than 50 Christians have previously faced prosecution.
Turkish immigration officials questioned an Iranian asylum-seeking couple regarding legal custody of their adopted daughter during an interview. The couple fled Iran after a family court in a southern province annulled their custody rights based on religious law. Turkish authorities stated the couple must annul the Iranian ruling, despite it being a Sharia-based decision outside Turkish jurisdiction. The officials threatened to remove the child from their care if the issue is not resolved. This situation has revived fears that the family could be separated, leaving the child without a home. The couple seeks permanent resettlement in a third country.
Amnesty International reports that a human rights defender and Christian convert in Iran has been forcibly disappeared since late February 2026. This individual, who previously served prison time for her faith and participated in protests, lost contact with her family after traveling from a major city to another urban center. Authorities have refused to disclose her location, though sources indicate she was moved to an undisclosed site in early April. This incident highlights the intensifying repression and arbitrary arrests occurring in Iran, raising concerns about the safety of religious minorities and activists in the region.
On April 28, a French Catholic nun working in Jerusalem was violently assaulted by a Jewish settler in the Mount Zion district. The attacker pushed and kicked the researcher near the Tomb of David before a bystander intervened. She suffered bruises and required medical care. Israeli authorities arrested the suspect, identified as 36-year-old Yona Schreiber from the West Bank settlement of Peduel, on April 29. The nun stated she forgave her attacker but demanded justice and safety for Christians. She highlighted the crucial role of bystanders who prevented further harm during the incident.
According to Middle East Concern, at least 48 Christians are imprisoned in Iran for their faith, with families reporting a severe lack of communication. Amnesty International warns that ongoing US and Israeli air strikes near detention facilities, including a prison in Tehran, place these prisoners of conscience at risk of death or serious harm. The organization cites arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, and denied access to food and water as critical issues. Families express deep concern over the safety of loved ones, particularly children, as authorities refuse humanitarian releases and transfer detainees to areas near potential military targets. The group urges urgent action to protect these vulnerable individuals from the escalating regional conflict.
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