A 53-year-old pastor from Laos is now in prison after police in Laos arrested him on June 6 for encouraging others to convert to Christianity. This is according to a spokesperson from Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom (HRWLRF). According to HRWLRF, the arrest of Asa, who is only known by his first name, took place at around 4pm at his home in Peeyeur village in Luang Namtha province.
The police then drove Asa to the regional prison, about 50 kilometers away. It is too far away for his family or friends to visit him as they have limited access to transportation. According to standard procedures, HRWLRF says, police would have put him in a local jail for three days while the investigation into the charges was ongoing. On Thursday, June 7, Khamla, a prominent Christian leader, met with police and learned that Asa had been accused of leading people to Christ.
Two years ago, police forced Asa to sign a statement that he would neither share Christ nor lead people to the Christian faith. But over the past year, many in Peeyeur and the surrounding villages have been touched by Asa's life and testimony and have come to faith in Christ. Authorities in southern Laos continue to threaten, interrogate and arrest Christians.
Source: Compass Direct News
