58 Christians Arrested, 9 Church Leaders Sent to Prison - Compass Direct News
On February 22, Laotian officials arrested 15 Hmong Christian families
in Bokeo district, 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. A Christian source
told Compass, "It seems they are rounding up all Hmong Christians from
Vietnam to send them back to Vietnam. What will happen to them is
greatly feared and unknown." 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. The Voice of
the Martyrs stands with believers in Laos and encourages you to pray
for these believers who have been arrested because of their faith in
Jesus Christ. Ask God to give them strength and courage to forgive
their persecutors.
Isaiah 40:31