Saudi Convicts Indian Preacher

(IANS) – A leading Christian organisation Wednesday appealed to
Saudi Arabia to show mercy to an Indian Christian convicted
of “spreading Christianity” in the Islamic kingdom.
Brian O’Connor of Karnataka was arrested in Saudi Arabia in March on
charges of spreading Christianity. He was sentenced to 10 months in
prison and 300 lashes, the All India Catholic Union (AICU) said.
Besides appealing to King Fahd bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud “to generously
give clemency to O’Connor”, AICU president John Dayal has sought the
intervention of Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam in the matter.
“Brian’s arrest and now the sentence of a jail term and lashing have
caused deep concern amongst the Christian community in India and the
Indian community abroad,” Dayal said in his letter.
“We appeal to the government of India to urgently intercede with the
government of Saudi Arabia for the immediate release of (Brian),” he
said.