A Christian from South Korea arrested in Nepal on charges of “attempting to convert” was released Aug. 7.
Cho Yusang, a 73-year-old evangelical Christian, posted bail after being arrested on July 23 for allegedly distributing leaflets and Bibles, said Tanka Subedi, chair of the Religious Liberty Forum Nepal (RLFN).
B.P. Khanal of the Nepal Christian Society said police confiscated Bibles and Christian literature from Cho’s room but emphasized possession of a Bible and Christian literature is not evidence of a crime.
“Anybody can have a Bible — it is not a drug or an explosive. Carrying a Bible should not be and must not be a criminal offense,” Khanal said.
On June 21 U.S. citizen Bradley Navarro Anagaran was arrested on a charge of possessing Christian literature and “attempting to convert,” according to the RLFN.
Anagaran was found with two discipleship leaflets designed for use within a church circle, Christian sources said.
Anagaran was released on July 3 and returned to the United States.
An increase in persecution of Christians in Nepal began after a new criminal code was passed in October 2017, which took effect in August 2018.
Nepal was ranked 32nd on Christian support organization Open Doors’ 2019 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian. (MS)
Share with others: