Lao pastor jailed nearly 13 years for Christian activities set free

Lao pastor jailed nearly 13 years for Christian activities set free

By Michael Ireland
Senior International Correspondent, ASSIST News Service

LAOS (ANS) -- A pastor has been released from prison in Laos after being locked up for nearly 13 years because of his Christian activities.

Barnabas Fund www.barnabasfund.org reports that Bounchan Kanthavong was set free on February 2, having been arrested in June 1999 and then sentenced to twelve years in jail for treason and sedition.

Barnabas Fund says Bounchan's only "crimes" appear to have been receiving Bible training and sharing his faith with people who came into his clothing shop. Bounchan's witness led to around 70 people accepting Christ.

Bounchan had been introduced to Christianity in January 1997 when he spent the night with a Christian family while away on business. When he returned to his home in Vanghai village, Udomsai province, Bounchan began to spread his new faith. People came to his shop from other villages, keen to hear and embrace the Gospel.

According to Barnabas Fund, the Lao authorities repeatedly warned him to stop believing, practicing and spreading the Christian faith and ordered him to cease all worship activities at the shop.

In a media update, Barnabas Fund says: "They were concerned about people leaving the traditional Lao religion (spirit worship) and embracing what they consider a foreign religion, thus becoming loyal to a power other than the Lao authorities. Bounchan's actions were thus perceived as a threat to national security and interpreted as treason and sedition."

Bounchan is married with five children. Following his detention, his wife Sengkham took over the leadership of their Christian community, which has grown to more than 3,000 believers today.

Last April, the authorities told Bounchan that they were willing to release him if he renounced Christ and separated from Sengkham.

Barnabas Fund added: "But he clearly did not as his detention was prolonged. Bounchan's health, particularly his eyes, suffered during his time in jail, and his family struggled without his leadership and provision."