12 Christians Detained After Police Raid Worship Gathering in Algeria

Twelve Christians were detained after Algerian police raided a Christian gathering near Oran, according to reports from Christian religious-freedom organizations.

The believers were reportedly meeting at the House of Refuge in L'Ayaida on September 4 when police arrived with a search warrant. Christian literature, mobile phones and identification documents were reportedly seized.

The 12 Christians were later released, but reports say they could still face charges under Algeria's regulations governing unauthorized non-Muslim worship. Algeria requires non-Muslim places of worship to receive government authorization.

The incident has renewed concerns among Christian organizations about restrictions on Christian worship and religious freedom in Algeria.