North Korea has detained a 75-year-old Australian visitor for passing out Christian pamphlets, according to his wife as reported by Agence France-Presse. John Short was arrested at his Pyongyang hotel on Feb. 17, the second day of his visit with a tour group, and was informed by police he would be deported, said his wife, Karen Short. He never arrived at the airport, she said.

The Shorts are long-time residents of Hong Kong and own the Christian Book Room publishing company, which distributes Bibles, calendars and other Christian material. The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs said it was engaged in the matter through the Swedish embassy, which represents Australia’s interests in North Korea.