The situation for Christians in Uzbekistan appears to be worsening, according to recent reports by Forum 18 News Service. Police officers assaulted a woman at her home while her parents were being interrogated over their religious activity at the local police station. Sources who asked not to be identified for fear of state reprisals said, “Officers kicked the woman and hit her on the head, giving her a severe concussion.”
In Tashkent, a police officer threatened to kill a Protestant Christian if he continued to challenge a fine given to him for his religious activity. “I have prepared an axe for you, which will be flying after you, observing you, and if need be kill you,” sources quoted the officer as telling him.
This is probably one the most disturbing accounts of martyrdom I’ve
read. The ultimate sacrifice was paid by Pastor Kim and his congregation in 1950s North Korea. This comes from “Jesus Freaks: Stories of Those Who Stood for Jesus, the Ultimate Jesus Freaks.”
For years, Pastor Kim and 27 of his flock of Korean saints had lived in hand-dug tunnels beneath the earth. Then as the communists were building a road, they discovered the Christians living underground.
The officials brought them out before a crowd of 30,000 in the village of Gok San for a public trial and execution. They were told, “Deny Christ, or you will die.” But they refused.
At this point the head Communist officer ordered four children from the group seized and had them prepared for hanging. With ropes tied around their small necks, the official again commanded the parents to deny Christ.
Members of the Shouwang congregation in China were arrested on May 15 as they
gathered to pray in the commercial area of Zhongguancun in Beijing.
Shouwang Church is the largest unregistered church in Beijing, and its leaders have been in an ongoing battle with authorities since being forced out of their worship space and prevented from renting or buying a new building.
On April 10, police detained 169 members attempting to hold services in a public park.
Martyrs: Iranian Pastor Must Recant Faith or Die
Iran’s Supreme Court says an evangelical pastor charged with apostasy can be executed if he does not recant his faith, according to a copy of the verdict obtained by a religious rights activist group. Christian Solidarity World says Iranian-born Yousef Nadarkhani, who was arrested in 2009 and given the death sentence late last year, could
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