LAOS | JUL. 17, 2020 — Authorities Hold Church Leader Without Charges Because of Coronavirus
LAOS — Authorities Hold Church Leader Without Charges Because of Coronavirus
Frightened at the number of people turning to Christ, officials arrested a pastor and told believers to renounce their faith.
A church leader who has not yet been charged with a crime remains in prison while officials wait for an end to the “Covid situation.”
Phong was arrested in early March after refusing police orders to renounce his faith. About 130 Christians live in Phong’s village, and police thought that arresting him would cure their Christian “problem.” Phong’s wife said police are demanding that Christians turn in all Bibles, hymnbooks and other Christian materials and renounce their faith. Although she was at first able to visit Phong in prison and take him food, no one is allowed to visit the prison now because of the coronavirus. The authorities told Phong’s wife that they are waiting for the “Covid situation to be over before they charge her husband with a crime.”
Pray for Phong and his family as they endure separation and uncertainty.