03/17/2021 Algeria (International Christian Concern) – Three Algerian Christians will have their appeals heard within the next month for their charges. They face blasphemy and proselytizing charges.
Hamid Soudad was sentenced in January on blasphemy charges for posting a caricature of Mohammad on social media. Courts fined Soudad and sentenced him to five years in prison. His appeal trial is scheduled for March 22.
Pastor Rachid Seighir and Noah Mamami were only recently convicted in absentia at the end of February on charges of proselytizing. They jointly worked and owned a Christian bookstore that was raided in 2017. Their appeal trial is scheduled for April 18.
While Algerian Christians individually suffer for incidents similar to these, the Algerian Church continues to face governmental harassment. Thirteen churches remain sealed and churches remain restricted by COVID-19 regulations, though other places of worship have opened.
For interviews, please contact Alison Garcia: press@persecution.org.
