Page 4515 – Christianity Today

Barbara G. Baker, Compass Direct news serviceChristians Jailed, Abused, DeportedView IssueSubscribeGive a GiftArchivesSaudi Arabia began freeing a group of 20 imprisoned expatriate Christians in the capital of Riyadh on July 14. Some had been jailed for more than a month.Arrests of the Christians, primarily Filipinos, began June 5 and continued for several weeks. Authorities also released them in stages, beginning with the expulsion and deportation of four Filipinos and a Dutch national.The Christians had been suspected of distributing Christian materials or attending private worship meetings. Under Saudi Arabia’s strict interpretation of Islamic law, any religious worship not Islamic is illegal.Saudi authorities detained pregnant Yolanda Aguilar, 31, after her husband, Rufino, fled to the Philippines June 11 to avoid arrest. She gave birth on June 17 after undergoing many hours of intense questioning. After the baby’s delivery, police resumed questioning.The four Filipino prisoners re...