International Christian Prisoners List

Southeast Asia

Indonesia

Name: Salmon Ongirwalu 
Date of Arrest: 1998 
Charge: kidnapping
Sentence: 10 years

Name: Robert Martinus 
Date of Arrest: 1998 
Charge: kidnapping
Sentence: 7 years

Name: Yanwardi Koto 
Date of Arrest: 1998 
Charge: kidnapping 
Sentence: 7 years

Background: These three men and their wives helped to house a young woman who claimed to need protection from her Muslim parents because she wanted to convert to Christianity. Later the woman said she was held against her will by the men, who forced her to become a Christian.
    

Name: Rinaldy Damanik
Date of Arrest: September 11, 2002
Charge: possessing deadly weapons, inciting violence
Sentence: 3 years

Background: Rev. Damanik is currently appealing his case to the Central Sulawesi High Court.
    

Laos - Imprisoned Christians listed by province.

Savannakhet 
1. Lerm 
2. Khamsone 
3. Gnanh 
4. Boun Thong 
5. Boon Thai 
6. Duan 
7. Koom 
8. Kone 
9. Ateum

Attapeu 
1. Kaew 
2. Kham Seuk 
3. Sanguan 
4. Khammuan 
5. Sinh 
6. Virakorn 
7. Lang 
8. Ilamuan 
9. Sompong 
10. Cha Leng 

Luang Prabang 
1. Peto 
2. Sisamut 
3. Boonme 
4. Chai 
5. Saeng 
6. Champeng 
7. Nuamchan 
8. Simon

Houaphan 
1. Khoua Neg Yang 
2. Thao Tchong La 
3. Vang Pao Ya 
4. Tscheu Yang 
5. Pao Ye Yang 
6. Vang Yang

Udomsay 
1. Boon Chanh 
2. Tcheng 
3. Chanh 
4. Nhot 
5. See

Vietnam

The following Hmong Christians are in prison in Vietnam. Most of them are sentenced to 3 years labor.

Incarcerated in Dien Bien Phu Prison, Lai Chau Province

1. Vang a Chua - since 8/2000
2. Giang A Ly - since 9/7/01, previously served from 1/98-1/01
3. Sua Sung Vu - since 9/10/2001
4. Thua Tu Thia - since 9/10/2001
5. Sung Phai Dia - since 9/10/2001, previously served from 3/98-3/01
6. Vu Gian Thao - since 9/10/2001, previously served 9/93-9/96 and 7/97-7/00

Incarcerated in C10 Prison, Lai Chau Province

1. Giang a Xem - since 10/2000

Incarcerated in Muong Lay Prison, Lai Chau Province

1. Mua A Tu - since 4/11/2001
2. Giang A Ca - since 9/22/2001
3. Giang A Senh - since 9/22/2001
4. Ho A Nenh - since 9/22/2001
5. Giang a Chia - since 9/22/2001
6. Ho A Va - since 10/4/2001
7. Mua a Ho - since 10/8/2001
8. Giang A Sung - since 10/8/2001
9. Giang A Khai - since 10/9/2001

Incarcerated in Thanh Ha Prison, Phuc Yen Province

1. Vang Sua Giang - since 8/2000
2. Sung Seo Si - since 3/16/2001
3. Sung Seo Sang - since 3/16/2001
4. Thao Sua Pao - since 8/15/2001
5. Thao Nhia Lu - since 8/15/2001
6. Sung Sai Sai - since 8/16/2001
7. Hau Chong Vu - since 8/16/2001

Incarcerated in Lao Kai Province Prison

1. Lu A Chung - since 12/26/01
2. Chau Quay Phan - since 12/26/01
3. Sung Chenh Senh

Incarcerated in Son La Prison

1. Ha Dua Senh
2. Vu Ga Senh
3. Ha Giay Sung
4. Lau A Chia

Incarcerated in Yen Son Prison, Tuyen Quang Province

1. Cu Van Long - since 5/1/2001

Incarcerated in Hay Ca Yen Bai Prison

1. Sung A Pao - since 1995

Incarcerated in Thai Nguyen Province Prison

1. Ly A Hu - since 9/1998 (7 year sentence)

Incarcerated in unknown location

1. Giang A Ly - since 1/15/02
2. Vang Seo Chieu - since 10/20/02
3. Vang Seo Su - since 10/20/02
4. Hau Seo Cang - since 11/01/02
5. Ho Seo Ho - since 11/01/02
6. Thao A Sa - since 11/01/02
7. Chay Seo Ho - since 11/01/02
8.  Sung A Senh - since 12/04/02

As many as 400 Montagnard Christians are believed to be imprisoned. The following is a list of names known to ICC:

Y Loang Hwing, Y Bhiu, Ama Hec, Y Daniel, Y Ho Eban, Y Ro Hmok, Nay Het, Y Thim B. Ya, Y Cal B. Ya, Y Blim Eban, Y Yu Nie, Y Sioih, Y Ga Nie, Y Wang Nie, Ama Simeron, Ana Knap, Ama Chen, Ksor Anen, Ksor Coih, Siu Hyin, Siu Put, Rmah Tiu, Siu Be, Siu Thoan, Rmah Don, Rmah Pol, Siu Beng, Rmah Hyunh, Rmah O

Name: Thadeus Nguyen Van Ly
Date of Arrest: May 17, 2001
Charge: undermining state unity
Sentence: 15 years imprisonment, 5 years house arrest

Background: Father Nguyen Van Ly was arrested in his private chamber at the An Truyen Parish. Public security agents ransacked Father Ly’s home, confiscating some of his personal property. Parishoners who had gathered to block the arrest were shocked with electric prods. Father Ly had submitted testimonies for the US Congressional Human Rights Caucus, which was occurring at the time of his arrest. He was eventually charged with “spreading propaganda against the government.”

China

Names: unknown, 12 believers from Dongsheng city, Inner Mongolia 
Date of Arrest: May 26, 2001 
Sentence: 2-3 years re-education through labor
   
Name: Gong Shengliang
Date of Arrest: unknown
Charge: complicity in rape and leading an evil cult
Sentence: life in prison

Names: Hu Yong, Xu Fuming
Date of Arrest: unknown
Charge: cult related activities
Sentence: life in prison

Names: Li Ying, Gong Bangkun
Date of Arrest: unknown
Charge: cult related activities
Sentence: 15 years in prison

Names: Feng Ping Xiang, Xicun Meng, YingPing Li and Xian Zhi Li
Date of Arrest: October 10, 2002
Charge: unknown
Sentence: 3 years labor

Background: During a secret trial in Hubei province, Gong Shengliang, the founder of the "South China" house church movement, was sentenced to death, with an execution date of January 5, 2002. He was later given a stay of execution to appeal his case. It has been reported that the testimonies accusing Shengliang of rape were given under torture. Other members of his church, as listed above, were also charged for being involved in an evil cult.  On October 9, 2002 the South China Church leaders were re-tried after an order by the Hubei Provincial Supreme Court. All of those sentenced to death had their sentences reduced to life in prison or 15 years. Four women were exonerated and released but were re-arrested again the same day. They had planned to testify about torture inflicted by prison officials.
       

Name: Guoxing "Philip" Xu
Date of Arrest: December 8, 2002
Charge: illegal religious activity
Sentence: 18 months re-education through labor

Background: Xu was arrested during a house church meeting in Shanghai. He previously spent over 6 years in re-education through labor camps for his work with the underground church.

North Korea 

There are believed to be as many as 100,000 Christians serving time in labor camps. Specific names and charges are unknown. It is reported that Christian prisoners receive the worst treatment in the camps because they refuse to deny their faith.

Nepal

Name: Manja Tamang
Date of Arrest: 2000?
Charge: murder
Sentence: 20 years

Background: Manja, A Gospel for Asia native missionary, has been falsely accused of murder. He is currently imprisoned in Kathmandu. Since his imprisonment he has led many fellow prisoners to Christ. Manja's case is scheduled to be heard by the Supreme Court of Nepal.

Pakistan

       
Name: Ranjha Masih
Date of Arrest: May 8, 1998
Charge: blasphemy (for breaking a sign which contained Koranic verses)
Sentence: life imprisonment

Background: Ranjha Masih participated in a protest rally against the country's blasphemy laws immediately following the funeral of Bishop John Joseph, a Roman Catholic priest who committed suicide in protest of the draconian laws. During the protest a neon sign bearing verses from the Koran fell down, probably due to the large mass of people. Ranjha Masih, who boldly condemned the blasphemy laws, was accused of throwing stones at the sign. He was sentenced to life in prison and given a fine of 50,000 rupees on April 26, 2003.

Name: Jhang Amjad and Asif Masih 
Date of Arrest: February 1999 
Charge: blasphemy (burning a Koran) 
Sentence: 25 years
   
Background: The two men were arrested on vagrancy charges in February 1999. While in police custody the two are accused of having burned a copy of the Koran. Jhang and Asif maintain that police burned the Koran themselves when the two Christian men refused to pay a bribe. They were sentenced under blasphemy law 295b. This sentence was recently upheld by the Lahore High Court on August 7, 2003. They plan to appeal to the Supreme Court.

Name: Augustine "Kingri" Masih 
Date of Arrest: May 4, 2000 
Charge: blasphemy 
Sentence: death

Background: Kingri Masih was meeting with Christian relatives when he was attacked and severely beaten by a Muslim fanatic group. Kingri had been coerced to convert to Islam, but later reconverted to Christianity and attended church services with family members. The Muslim community subsequently turned against him and charged him with blasphemy against the Prophet of Islam. He was sentenced to death and fined 50,000 rupees on June 30, 2002.

Name: Pervez Masih 
Date of Arrest: April 1, 2001 
Charge: blasphemy 
Sentence: not yet decided

Background: Christian teacher Pervez Masih was arrested on charges of blasphemy. Mr. Masih, who ran his own high school in Chailayke village, Sialkot district, was accused of uttering blasphemous remarks against Muhammed during tutoring sessions with three former students. It is believed that the teacher of a rival high school has implicated Mr. Masih falsely in order to force the school to close and gain the business for himself. Mr. Masih could face the death sentence if found guilty under Blasphemy Law 295/c. He was denied bail in November of 2001.
     

Name: Anwar Kenneth
Date of Arrest: September 2001
Charge: blasphemy
Sentence: death
   

Background: Mr. Kenneth is accused of writing letters which questioned whether Muhammad was a real prophet. The case is complicated by the fact that Mr. Kenneth seems to be mentally unstable.

Turkey

Name: Soner Önder 
Date of Arrest: December 25, 1991 
Charge: participation in separatist group 
Sentence: life in prison

Egypt

Name: Shayboub Arsal 
Date of Arrest: September 17, 1998 
Charge: murder 
Sentence: 15 years labor

Background: Shayboub William Arsal was convicted of the double murder of his cousin and friend in the El-Kosheh incident of August 1998.  Mr. Arsal’s “confession” as well the testimony of his two accusers was given under torture. It is reported that Arsal was hung from a window by his arms and legs for 34 days in order to get him to testify against another suspect. When he refused, Arsal himself was accused of the crime, even though he had two alibis.*
       

Name: Adly Shakir
Date of Arrest: November 30, 1997
Charge: Murder
Sentence: 25 years

Background: Adly's sister, Theresa, was kidnapped by an Islamic extremist in March 1997. She was later recovered after her family approached President Mubarak, Pope Shenouda, and several human rights organizations. The police informed them at that time that Theresa, a Coptic Christian, had converted to Islam. On November 30, 1997 Adly returned home to find his parents, younger brother, and Theresa murdered (presumable for apostacy). Another sister was wounded. Upon reporting the murder to the police, Adly was arrested and charged with the crime. His original death sentence was later reduced to 25 years.

 

Saudi Arabia

RELEASED - Both of the men below were released and deported to their respective countries by the end of July 2003.

Name: Girmaye Ambaye (Eritrean)
Date of Arrest: March 25, 2003
Charge: residency permit expired

Name: Endeshaw Adana Yizengaw (Ethiopian)
Date of Arrest: April 27, 2003
Charges: suspected involvement in prostitution, selling alcohol and helping the US spread Christianity

The above two men are connected with an Ethiopian/Eritrean fellowship in Jeddah which has been under surveillance. Eleven members of the fellowship were imprisoned previously.

Additional sources of information used to compile this list: Compass Direct, Jubilee Campaign, Voice of the Martyrs (Canada), World Evangelical Alliance, Freedom House

*We make every attempt to keep up with changes in information regarding Christians held prisoner or Christians held against their will simply because of their faith.  We appreciate your feedback if you find any discrepancies in this information. You can contact us by e-mail at: icc@persecution.org. Thanks.

LAST UPDATED:  August 28, 2003