Multiple sources have reported that 11 Christians detained in Savannakhet Province on May 11 remain in prison after being arrested for meeting in an unauthorised location.
After signing documents agreeing to not meet at that location again, 12 others, including women and teenagers, have been released. The Christians in Savannakhet Province belong to a church in Paksong Village in Songkhone District, which was barred from holding church services in 2012. The pastor of the church was arrested and coerced into signing a document saying the church would stop meeting. According to Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom, the authorities, including the new village chief, claimed that Christians in that area did not receive permission to hold worship services; however, the Christians claimed they received permission from the former village chief approximately a year before.
Preventing meetings
The arrest of the 23 Christians, including the pastor, appears to involve two locations. The authorities are trying to prevent Christians meeting at a new location, which they claim is unauthorised. However, the group has reportedly been meeting there for over six years.
