The suffering of an Eritrean refugee

Philemon Semere, an Eritrean refugee, tells the BBC’s Mike Thomson about the terrible suffering he experienced, which included electric shocks, beating, burns and death threats, after being kidnapped in Sudan. “God brought me out of the deepest darkness and only he knows what lies ahead for me now,” Semere said.

Kazakh arrested for praying

A pastor in Kazakhstan has been told he must spend two months in detention awaiting sentencing for charges including praying and singing. (Forum 18)

Iranian pastor arrested

An Iranian pastor was arrested on Tuesday (May 21) in the midst of a church service in central Tehran.

Churches in Iran are under increasing pressure to stop all services held in Farsi, reports Mohabat News.

Robert Asseriyan, pastor of the Assemblies of God church, was arrested and taken to an unknown location, according to the report. Future meetings at the church have been cancelled until further notice.