Harassment Continues on Eve of Mennonite Trial

(Compass) – Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City , Vietnam , ordered the wife the Rev. Nguyen Hong Quang, a Mennonite pastor imprisoned since June 8, to appear at a neighborhood “review” meeting tonight. Sources in Vietnam say the purpose of the meeting is for the Quangs’ neighbors, prompted by police, to complain about church services that continue to take place at the Quang home, despite numerous warnings that such meetings are illegal. Observers believe the summons to be part of a police harassment campaign against associates of Nguyen Hong Quang, scheduled to be tried with five of his co-workers on November 12. A source in Vietnam said today that Christians are fasting and praying concerning the trial. “Many Christians in Vietnam are watching the trial closely and see it as key indicator on whether Vietnam might change its repressive religion policy. Most are not very optimistic,” the source said.