On February 22, Laotian officials arrested 15 Hmong Christian families in Bokeo district, Laos. According to Compass Direct News, the arrests occurred a day before a court sentenced nine Hmong church leaders to 15 years in prison for ‘conducting Christian ministry and meetings that had grown beyond acceptable levels for Communist officials.’
Compass reported, “The day before the sentencing, Laotian authorities arrived in Bai Sai Janrern village in Bokeo district with six trucks in which they hauled away eight Christian families. Authorities also arrested at least seven families from Fai village three miles away.” The arrested families make up a total of 58 Hmong Christians.
Compass added, officials have warned Hmong Christians they will return to the area to round up believers who have moved from other districts in Laos. “They have been told that the officials will be sending them back to their home districts. Many Hmong in Bokeo district have married Hmong from other districts, so this will create tremendous hardship for the families,” the source told Compass.
The nine Christian leaders sentenced to 15 years in prison for Christian ministry were arrested in July 2007, during a police and military raid of suspected rebels that left 13 innocent Christians dead.
The Voice of the Martyrs played a key role in completing the translation of the Hmong Bible in 1997 and continues to provide Bibles in Hmong language to the Hmong people across Southeast Asia. VOM will feature the Hmong and other persecuted minority tribes in the organizations free monthly newsletter in May You can sign up to receive VOM’s monthly newsletter here <ahref=http://www.persecution.com www.persecution.com</a> . Pray God protects and encourages believers in Laos. Pray God strengthens these believers who have been arrested because of their faith in Jesus Christ.
