Ben Cat, Vietnam — Police in Vietnam employed thugs wielding hammers and metal cutters to ransack a Mennonite church center Nov. 12 and drag away nine Christians, who were then charged with not having proper papers — documents officials had confiscated from them in previous raids.
The thugs — accompanied this time by provocatively attired prostitutes — arrived just before midnight, screaming and intimidating Christians staying at the center in Ben Cat, Binh Duong Province north of Ho Chi Minh City.
Police stood by filming the attack.
Two Mennonite pastors and the son of Pastor Nguyen Hong Quang were among those arrested, threatened and interrogated for two hours before being released and charged with not having their ID cards and temporary residence papers. The documents had been confiscated during earlier raids and not returned, church leaders said.
Not having these papers leaves them subject to further police harassment and difficulties with employment and school studies. The nine Christians have been summoned to return for further interrogation.
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