The following news is from our friends at Compass Direct and written by Nirmala Carvalho and Vishal Arora of Compass Direct.

The Voice of the Martyrs has received photographs of police officers interrogating believers in and around a church in Qarshi (“Karshy”), Uzbekistan. According to VOM sources police burst into the service on February 25, 2007, confiscated literature and demanded to know who was funding the church.

Two of my favorite people in the whole entire world talked today about Christian persecution. If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, then you know that I'm referring to Todd Nettleton, Director of News Services for The Voice of the Martyrs, and Janet Parshall of Janet Parshall's America.

If you read persecutionblog.com often, you know that in recent weeks there have been numerous reports of increased persecution in India. In the past three weeks, two Christian leaders were martyred because they were courageous to preach the gospel despite threats against their lives. The death of these precious brothers shows us, even in the midst of the most difficult circumstances; Christians are making a difference, even if it costs their lives.

UPDATE: Earlier this week I cited that this information was from Mission Network News, however, today I found out the original source of the story was from our friends at Compass Direct. We apologize to Compass Direct for not realizing this was originally their story. To read the Compass Direct story online, please click here.

Christians in India face growing persecution as they are attacked, beaten and killed for believing in Jesus Christ. The Voice of Martyrs recently received information Christian attacks were escalating. On February 10, a 58-year-old Christian, S. Stanley was stabbed and killed by rioting youth in front of his house in Pavaloor, Kerala State, India. VOM contacts report youths assembled in front of Stanley’s house shouting blasphemous abuses against Christians. The attackers later climbed over the locked gate, entered the house and stabbed Stanley several times on his back, neck and stomach. His wife was also assaulted.

UPDATE – On February 8, Beijing house-church leader Hua Huiqi was formally arrested by Beijing Public Security Bureau Chaoyang Branch and his 76-year-old mother was arrested for the second time by Beijing Security Bureau Chongwen Branch.

Today WorldNetDaily is highlighting a story about 4 Evangelists who were beaten for simply handing out gospel tracts.

INDIA – On Saturday, February 10, a 58-year-old Christian, S. Stanley, was stabbed and killed by rioting youth in front of his house in Pavaloor, Kerala State, India.

News Max is reporting that the Pope is going to address Chinese persecution of Catholics.