Orissa Christians acquitted!

Christians in India continue to
suffer persecution. Please pray!

On April 18, six Christians were acquitted of false accusations of arson, ending more than two and a half years of litigation, reported All India Christian Council.

The six men, Christians from a tribal background, were accused of burning down Hindu homes in Gajapati District, Odisha (formerly Orissa state), on October 20, 2008. Ironically, all of them lost their homes in the unprecedented anti-Christian riots of August 2008.

The Christians were charged under sections 147, 148, 452, 436, 506 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code.

Lawyers immediately appealed to the district court for anticipatory bail to prevent the arrest of the men who, as daily labourers, were the main source of income for their families. The district court rejected the request, and lawyers appealed to the Orissa High Court in 2010. The men went into hiding until the High Court granted their request, and then they immediately surrendered and were granted bail.

The Gajapati District sessions court began the trial in January 2011 and acquitted the men of all charges due to lack of sufficient evidence.

Praise the Lord!