NEWS ALERT: Libya Releases Christian Converts From Prison

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Worthy News Staff

TRIPOLI, LIBYA (Worthy News) -- Amid international pressure, Libya has released four Christians who were detained for converting from Islam, after nearly three months of imprisonment, Worthy News learned Tuesday, April 21 from a key advocacy group involved in the case.

"We would like to let you know that God has answered your prayers for the four believers who had been detained in Libya," said Jeff King, the president of U.S.-based International Christian Concern in an e-mailed statement to supporters, obtained by Worthy News and its partner news agency BosNewsLife. "The four Christians were freed on April 13," King added.

The four Christians, whose names were not released due to security concerns, were detained in January by the country's feared intelligence service as part of an apparent crackdown on Christian converts.

ICC told Worthy News in March that it was concerned that the Christians were "detained and tortured" by Libya's feared intelligence service. Their health situation was not immediately clear Tuesday, April 21.

King said his organization has asked its supporters to "please continue praying for their safety and strength." Libya's External Security Organization is believed to be behind the detention and torture of Christians ICC said earlier, citing local sources.

"Fearing for their lives, converts from Islam are on the run," the group added.