Laos Frees Last of Christians Jailed in Early ’98
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VIENTIANE, Laos — A group of Laotian Christians with links to U.S. missionaries has been freed after spending more than a year in jail for worshiping at an unauthorized prayer meeting, Western diplomats said Thursday.
The eight Christians freed Monday were the last detainees remaining from a group of 44 arrested in February 1998 and charged with creating social turmoil by taking part in a service organized by the humanitarian evangelical organization Partners in Progress, based in Little Rock, Ark.
Those originally arrested included three Americans, a French woman and a Thai preacher, who were held four days and expelled. The rest were gradually freed over the past year.
Diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed Monday’s release.
There was no official comment from the Communist government, which has kept tight control over dissent.
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