Syrian regime threatens Christians, clamps down on churches

ICC Note:
“The Syrian regime issued instructions to all banks across the country to stop transactions with the Greek Orthodox Mariamite Church on charges of money laundry,” Al Arabiya reports.
By Mohamed Zeid Mestou
2/26/2012 Syria (Al Arabiya) – As part of its campaign against all pro-democracy activists, the Syrian regime has been persecuting Christian citizens and clergy who take part in the revolution or help the revolutionaries.
The Syrian regime issued instructions to all banks across the country to stop transactions with the Greek Orthodox Mariamite Church on charges of money laundry, said a Christian activist from the southwestern governorate of Rif Dimashq.
“This step was taken right after the church started receiving money from churches abroad to support Syrian revolutionaries,” he said.
The activist added that security forces killed Christian activist Friday Hossam Mikhail for links with the Free Syrian Army.
“A few weeks ago, the Syrian army also killed priest Basilius Nassar and state TV held terrorist groups accountable for his death.”
Nassar, the activist explained, used to deliver food to areas attacked by the Syrian army and was helping doctors out in Hama.
The activist added that according to a priest who worked with him, Nassar was killed while rescuing a victim of an army attack in the Jarajmah neighborhood in Hama.
Syrian forces also fired a non-explosive missile at the Convent of our Lady of Saidnaya north of the capital Damascus after knowing that its monks were involved in delivering medicine and supplies to bombed areas.
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