Nepal: Eight Christians face trial for distributing Bibles

Seven Protestant Christians and a pastor could be tried for proselytising after being found distributing Bibles to school-children, Asia News reported.

Dolakha, Nepal, after it was hit by last year's major earthquake. Eight Christians have been arrested after distributing Bibles in the region. Reuters

A trial date has not yet been set but a court is preparing to charge the suspects, according to local sources.

The seven were arrested on 8 June after being caught handing out the Bibles to children at a school in the northern district of Dolakha, which was devastated by last year's major earthquake.

Then, on 14 June police also arrested Rev Shakti Pakhrin over his alleged ties to those under investigation for proselytising.

A few days later the group – which includes two teachers and activists for Teach Nepal, which is involved in post-quake reconstruction – was released but ordered to appear in court.

There have been claims that the group was tortured in custody as well as unjustifiably detained.

The indictment against them is that of distributing Bibles for the purpose of converting students, Asia News said.

The group is reportedly alleged to have violated Article 26, paragraph 3, of the Constitution of Nepal, which regulates religious freedom and states that "no person shall act or make others act in a manner which is contrary to public health, decency and morality, or...convert a person of one religion to another religion".

The group rejects the accusations and claims to have only distributed the materials to Christian children who asked for them. "We only gave it to them," said Prakash Pradhan, principal of Mount Valley Academy, a local private school.

The Federation of National Christian Nepal submitted a memorandum of defence to the Home Affairs Minister Shakti Bahadur Basnet, calling for the accused to be released immediately. "Accusations against them are false and designed to create fear among other Christians," he said.

related articles
Why does Nepal have one of the fastest growing Churches in the world?
Why does Nepal have one of the fastest growing Churches in the world?

Why does Nepal have one of the fastest growing Churches in the world?

Nepal earthquake: Mourning and protests mark the one year anniversary

Nepal earthquake: Mourning and protests mark the one year anniversary

Christians and Hindus work together after devastating Nepal earthquake: \'God is able to work in such a crisis as this\'
Christians and Hindus work together after devastating Nepal earthquake: 'God is able to work in such a crisis as this'

Christians and Hindus work together after devastating Nepal earthquake: 'God is able to work in such a crisis as this'

News
Glastonbury and the banality of evil
Glastonbury and the banality of evil

When the Glastonbury mob were calling for death to the IDF, they were in effect calling for the death of Israeli Jews.

Who were the Anabaptists?
Who were the Anabaptists?

This year is the 500th anniversary of the founding of the Anabaptist movement - a chapter in Christian history that is not so well known.

Faith leaders say taxing rich will bring down energy bills, help environment
Faith leaders say taxing rich will bring down energy bills, help environment

The call is, not for the first time, to tax the rich

Fears for free speech in Europe
Fears for free speech in Europe

The Alliance Defending Freedom International has warned that free speech in Europe is facing its gravest threat since the days of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact.