AFGHANISTAN: Said Musa, a former Muslim, became a Christian nine years ago. He was arrested in May 2010 after video footage of indigenous Christians worshipping was shown on national Television. While

imprisoned, he suffered sexual abuse, beatings, and sleep deprivation because of his faith. Said was released in February 2011 and is now safely out of the country.

ALGERIA: In Saigh’s appeal the judge has been unable to find any evidence against him and has postponed hearing dates several times. On December 1 the scheduled hearing was postponed indefinitely, even though judges had been expected to pronounce a verdict. Saigh is not required to serve his prison sentence until the court hears his appeal and upholds the conviction.

CHINA: Dr Fan Yafeng remains under house arrest and surveillance with his freedom severely curtailed. Any communication or permitted trips are monitored by the Chinese authorities.

CHINA: In July 2011 Pastor Shi was sentenced to two years of re-education through labour for organising ‘illegal’ worship services. Pastor Shi’s large house church of several thousand members meets in various locations across Suqian city. Even though Pastor Shi is imprisoned, the Chinese authorities are continuing to persecute some of his church members.

CHINA: After spending 60 days in detention Chinese Christian human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong was released. During his detention no one knew where he was being held or even if he was alive. Although he has been released the fact that Jiang can be re-arrested at the discretion of

the Chinese authorities effectively means the whole family remain at risk.

ERITREA: Evangelist Mussie Eyob (33), who was arrested in Saudi Arabia for preaching outside a mosque in Jeddah, has been deported to Eritrea and has disappeared. Release partners believe he has been arrested and fear that he is now imprisoned in a high-security prison in Asmara.

IRAN: Azeri Christian Vahid Rofegar was arrested on July 15, 2011. An Iranian human rights website has reported that Vahid was released in September following payment of bail.

IRAN: Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani has ordered the presiding judge over the trial in Rasht, Mr Ghazi Kashani, to do nothing further with the case of Yousef Nadarkhani for one year. The order was not to issue a verdict, to hold Yousef in prison and to use whatever means necessary to cause him to recant and return to Islam.

IRAN: Following their release from prison Pastor Vahik Abrahamian and his wife, Sonia, left Iran for the Netherlands on September 15 with the help of the Dutch embassy and with approval from the Iranian government. Vahik and Sonia continually expressed their desire to remain in Iran for

the sake of their ministry; however, fears for their safety caused them to flee the country.

IRAN: Mustafa Shokrollahi was arrested in January 2011 and held in custody in Karoon prison, Ahvaz, for 63 days before being released following payment of bail.

LAOS: Pastor Wanna was arrested on January 5, 2011, for holding an ‘illegal meeting to celebrate Christmas’. He was sentenced to one year in prison and is expected to be released this month.

TURKMENISTAN: In October 2010, Pastor Ilmurad Nurliev was sentenced to four years detention at Seydi Labour Camp. His church members and his family believe the charges are fabricated and that he is imprisoned because of his faith. Pastor Nurliev is a diabetic, and his family is

concerned about his health. While he is in prison he has no access to medical treatment.