Christians Arrested, Church Partly Demolished by Police in Vietnam

A church in Vietnam has been partly demolished by police officials who burst into the premises, Christian Today has learned. Seventeen people were arrested in the raid, including a pastor's family members on the morning of January 9.

Rev Nguyen Hong Quang's son and mother in law were among the seventeen people who were arrested, when police officials burst into the Vietnam Mennonite church during a prayer meeting.

It was reported that even though the group had conformed to the official's request to end the prayer meeting and leave the premises; they were arrested and detained at the police station of Binh Khanh Ward, before their later release in the evening.

The Christians said that some of the women were treated harshly - some grabbed and led by hair, slapped in the face and beaten; while the authorities yelled and threatened two boys in the police station, according to Bos News Life.

The floor of the building above the meeting room and kitchen as well as the bathroom were demolished for "alleged violation of a building permit" by the police officials after the group were detained.

It was reported that almost all the buildings in the area were built without proper building permits more than twenty years ago. The church, however, has allegedly been the target of selective enforcement due to Rev Quang's advocacy activities, Bos News Life has reported.