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Algeria

• Arrests in the Midst of Political Turmoil

  

  After months of civil unrest, Algerian president Abdelaziz Bouteflika stepped down on April 2nd. Unfortunately, his abdication of leadership did not end the unrest, as the people demanded for all those who served under his governance to also resign and for a democratic election to take place very soon.

• Bookstore Allowed to Reopen

  

  In November 2017, the Algerian authorities shut down a church in Aïn Turk, claiming that it had been used to "illegally print Gospels and publications intended for evangelism" (for details, see this report). On June 10th, 2018, the governor of Oran Province signed an order reopening the church (click here). However, the bookstore operated by the church was not allowed to reopen at the time, with claims that it was being used for evangelistic activities.

• Churches Ordered to Close

  

  Churches in Algeria continue to face court-ordered closures, as the Algerian authorities tighten restrictions on non-Islamic places of worship (also see this page). Over the past year, most churches affiliated with the Algerian Protestant Church Association (APCA) have been visited by officials, reportedly to check for safety code violations. As part of their inspection, they also ask to see their licenses -- officially designating their buildings as non-Muslim places of worship. However, the government has yet to issue any such licenses under this regulation.

• Christian Acquitted

  

  In April 2016, Idir Hamdad was returning to Algeria from a study trip to Amman, Jordan. When his luggage was inspected at the airport upon return, customs officials found his Bible and some other Christian books, along with some cross-shaped keychains he had been given. He was interrogated for eight hours, during which time the officers insulted his faith and told him that if he renounced Christianity, he would be freed.

• Two Churches Re-Open Despite Continual Pressure
  
  The church of Ait-Mellikeche.
  Photo: World Watch Monitor

  Algerian Christians are grateful to God that two recently closed churches in Oran Province have been permitted to re-open. The churches were closed by authorities in November 2017 and February 2018. For reasons yet unknown, the governor signed an order authorizing the unconditional re-opening on June 10th.

• Authorities Force Church Closures
  
  The church of Ait-Mellikeche.
  Photo: World Watch Monitor

  Several churches throughout Algeria have been closed by authorities in recent months, resulting in calls to the government for equal treatment for Protestant Christians. Since November, six churches associated with the l'Eglise Protestante d'Algérie (EPA) have been closed, even though the EPA was officially recognized by the government since 1974. However, in 2012, the government required re-registration and has, to date, not renewed that legal status.

• Christian Released from Prison!
  
  Slimane Bouhafs
  Photo: World Watch Monitor

  We are thrilled to report that Slimane Bouhafs has been released from prison after serving 18 months for blasphemy. Slimane was arrested in July 2016 for sharing a message on Facebook which was ruled to be an insult to Islam. For further information, click here.

  Slimane was originally sentenced to the maximum of five years in prison. However, in September 2016, the time of his incarceration was reduced to three years, and then further reduced in July 2017 through a partial presidential pardon.

• Pastor Sentenced as Persecution Increases
  
  Photo: SAT-7

  A pastor in Frenda, Tiaret Province, was given a fine and suspended prison sentence on March 8th under a law that prohibits causing Muslims to doubt their religion. Pastor Nordine B. has been ordered to pay 100,000 dinar ($1,132 CAN) and given a three-month suspended sentence. According to the Algerian news outlet, Algerie Part, the only evidence against him was that he was carrying Christian books. Pastor Nordine intends to appeal the conviction.

• Intensified Campaign Pressures Churches

  

  In recent months, both churches and individual Christians have faced increased restrictions by governing authorities, raising concerns that these pressures signal a coordinated campaign of intensified action against the practice of Christianity. During the third week of December, three Christians were arrested in Chlef. These believers, who had been visiting from the northern town of Tizi Ouzou, had arranged to meet their contact at a local café.

• Forced Closure of Church for Printing Bibles

  

  A church in Algeria's northwestern town of Aïn Turk (located about 15 kilometres from Oran city) has been forcibly closed by local authorities. The church, affiliated with the Protestant Church of Algeria (also referred to as EPA, its French acronym), was sealed off by police on November 9th.