Friday, March 28, 2008

Installment #7: Persecution Watch - Laos

On February 22, Laotian officials arrested 15 Hmong Christian families in Bokeo province, Laos. According to Compass Direct News, the arrests occurred a day before a court sentenced nine Hmong church leaders to 15 years in prison for 'conducting Christian ministry and meetings that had grown beyond acceptable levels for Communist officials.' Compass reported, "The day before the sentencing, Laotian authorities arrived in Bai Sai Janrern village in Bokeo district with six trucks in which they hauled away eight Christian families. Authorities also arrested at least seven families from Fai village three miles away." The arrested families make up a total of 58 Hmong Christians. According to the Compass report, the nine Christian leaders, sentenced to 15 years in prison for Christian ministry, were arrested in July 2007, during a police and military raid of suspected rebels that left 13 innocent Christians dead.

Source: Voice of the Martyrs

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