Six More Algerian Christians Face Prison for Practicing Non-Muslim Worship Without Authorization

-After Years of Religious Tolerance, Algeria Takes a Dark Turn-

The six Christians are Rachid, Djallil, Sami, Abdelkader, Mohamed and Chabane. They have been accused of “distribution of religious material to convert Muslims” and “practice without authorization of non-Muslim worship.” The public prosecutor asked the court in town of Tiaret, Algeria to sentence each of the six Christians to two years in prison and a fine of 500,000 Algerian dinars ($8,000). The prosecutor alleged that the six Christians were gathered t her Christianity by carrying Christian literature on a public bus, decided yesterday   that the case required “supplementary investigation.” ICC reported on the initial hearing on May 23, 2008, in a press release. In that release we mentioned that the public prosecutor asked for a three year prison term for Habiba, and that the court would make its decision on May 27.

The prosecutor has ten days to appeal the decision of the court, according to El-Watan.

Habiba’s defense lawyer criticized the court’s decision by saying that the court is just trying to buy time until the media shifts its attention elsewhere. Habiba’s case has drawn widespread critism both from the local and international media. According to some commentators, the judge was forced to order further investigation due   to the attention that the case has attracted.

ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, Darara Gubo, said, “The international community should step up its pressure

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