Eight Christian Protestants arrested in Saudi Arabia

On Saturday 28th May 2005, eight Protestant leaders were arrested, according to the Rome-based news agency, AsiaNews. Bibles and other religious items were confiscated by Muttawa – religious police in the country. All detainees belong to the Assembly of God Evangelical Group.

According to International Christian Concern (ICC) there are 46 Christians that have been confirmed as arrested in Saudi Arabia. The latest developments against the Christian minority were undertaken by the standard police forces and the religious police - the Muttawa. It is believed that the oppressions have come about because of the recent desecration of a Qur'an in Guantanamo Bay detention centre, U.S.A.

The huge number of arrests followed the arrest of a single person - Samkutty Varghese on March 22, 2005. Varghese possessed the names and numbers of other members of the same Christian fellowship. ICC received a report that he has been sentenced to 10 months in prison.

Freedom of religious expression is strictly restricted in Saudi Arabia. Public activities connected with faiths other than Islam, such as holding a Bible, wearing a cross or praying are outlawed.

Since the economy of Saudi Arabia depends greatly upon foreigners, international pressure has grown on the Royal family to ease the regulations and allow practicing non-Muslims to express their religion in the privacy of their homes. However, the religious police continue to arrest people during private meetings in Christian homes and against those working in Saudi Arabia. For example, 40 Pakistani Christians were arrested for worshiping at home previously.

A news release from ICC commented: "The inaction of the world's leader in promoting freedom is reprehensible, and risks breaching the line of irrelevance on matters of religious freedom and human rights. The United States and the broader international community need to hold Saudi Arabia accountable for egregious violations of religious freedom. This latest crackdown on Christians is inexcusable, and highlights the oppressive regime under which all religious minorities live and work in Saudi Arabia."