APPEAL DENIED: Islamic Sentence Upheld for Pastor in Algeria Stopped for Carrying Bible, Judge Rebukes Church Leader

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And the world stands silent. Instead, the international community is obsessed with demonizing the Jewish state for defending herself from invasion by Hamas terrorist armies. How did good men allow things to get so bad?

“The two of us had been sentenced for possession and distribution of Christian articles in order to destabilize and undermine the faith of Muslim according to article 02/11 of the Law 03/06.”

Islam allows no other ideas or thoughts or religions, so insecure and weak is its premise. Islamic law is written to criminalize other ideas because the ideology could not withstand or survive an open marketplace of ideas.

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Sentence Upheld for Pastor in Algeria Stopped for Carrying Christian Literature Judge rebukes church leader.

By Our Algeria Correspondent

TIZI-OUZOU, Algeria, May 17, 2018 (Morning Star News) – A case that began with police in Algeria stopping a Christian suspected of carrying Bibles in his car ended yesterday with a large fine for the church leader.

A judge in Tiaret, 600 kilometers (372 miles) southwest of Algiers, on Wednesday (May 16) denied pastor Nouredine Belabed’s appeal of a sentence of a 100,000-dinar (US$868) fine and payment of court fees under a controversial law that forbids “undermining the faith of a Muslim.” Belabed had received the sentence on March 8, including a three-month suspended prison term reduced from what had been a two-year prison term.

The 37-year-old father of three was traveling with a companion, identified only as 26-year-old Khalil, to Tiaret on March 14, 2015 when gendarmes stopped their vehicle, Pastor Belabed told Morning Star News. National Gendarmerie in Tiaret had contacted officers in Sidi Abderrahmane to report two suspects driving an Opel Zaphira coming from El-Bayadh toward Tiaret with Christian books on board.

“We went to El-Bayadh to see our Christian brothers, but also to answer the call of a man who contacted us to know Christ,” Pastor Belabed told Morning Star News. “I do not know him, but we are used to working that way. But once there, he called me to apologize for not being able to come. Back at a gendarmerie checkpoint at a junction, we were stopped to search the vehicle from top to bottom. I was sure someone pointed us out.”

A thorough search followed, ending with the officers seizing 56 books, according to a police report delivered to prosecutors at a court in Frenda, 50 kilometers (31 miles) southwest of Tiaret. The books included the Gospel of Mathew, Bibles, a Bible commentary, a book on church history and some pamphlets.

Pastor Belabed told officers that he had bought them at a Christian bookstore in Algiers after a meeting with other church leaders at the headquarters of the legally recognized Protestant Church of Algeria (l’Église Protestante d’Algérie, or EPA). He told them he meant to distribute them free to other Christians or any other person who wanted to know Christ, he said.

“They detained us at the gendarmerie brigade from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. after photocopying each of the books we were carrying,” he said. “Since then we did not hear of this case. I thought they had forgotten us.”

Nearly two years later, around Christmas of 2017, he was informed that a security warrant had been issued on him and that he had been sentenced to two years in prison and a fine of 50,000 dinars (US$434) by a court in Frenda. The judgment was dated October 27, 2015.

“It was at the police station that I was informed,” he said. “The two of us had been sentenced for possession and distribution of Christian articles in order to destabilize and undermine the faith of Muslim according to article 02/11 of the Law 03/06.”
 
Law 03/2006, commonly known as Law 03/06, calls for a prison term of two to five years and a fine of 500,000 to 1 million dinars (US$4,343 to US$8,687) for anyone who “incites, constrains, or utilizes means of seduction tending to convert a Muslim to another religion, or using for this purpose the institutions of education, health, social, cultural, or educational institutions, or other establishment, or financial advantage; or makes, stores or distributes printed documents or films or other audiovisual medium or means intended to undermine the faith of a Muslim.”

Christian leaders say the charge is unconstitutional, citing the Algerian constitution’s Article 42, which guarantees freedom of belief, opinion and worship.

During interrogation Pastor Belabed told officers he converted from Islam to Christianity in 2003, and Khalil said he had converted in 2009.

Judge Rebukes Pastor
While the pastor secured an attorney with the EPA’s help, Khalil fled the country for Europe with others in a makeshift boat at the risk of their lives, Pastor Belabed said.

After he fought the sentence with legal defense, in March a court in Frenda convicted both Christians of undermining the faith of a Muslim and sentenced them to pay the fine and court fees; the two-year prison sentence was cancelled in favor of the three-month suspended sentence, while the fine of 50,000 dinars was doubled.

The pastor opted to appeal, and the case was transferred to the Tiaret Criminal Court. On May 9, he appeared before the same judge who had sentenced him in 2015.

“When I saw and recognized the judge, knowing that it was the same who had sentenced me in Frenda, I was scared,” Pastor Belabed said. “But, encouraged by the Lord, I tried to defend my cause somehow. But the judge was harsh and said, “Why do you carry those Christian books, Are not you ashamed?’ The judge used intimidation and told me repeatedly, ‘You’re not ashamed to do that? Algeria is a Muslim country.’”

He replied that he was a Christian who loved Muslims and did not seek to harm their peace, he said. The pastor said he told the judge, “I did not do anything wrong, judge. The Bibles I carried were intended for members of our community, our Tiaret church, which is affiliated with the EPA. I did not give them to others or try to evangelize anyone.”

The May 16 verdict did not appear to mention Khalil.

“Nouredine B. alone was found guilty for carrying and distributing Christian articles in order to undermine and destabilize the faith of a Muslim, in accordance with Article 11/02 of Law 03/06, and for that he is ordered to pay a fine of 100,000. DA ($ 862),” the verdict read.

Pastor Belabed said he would not file any more appeals.

“I am tired,” he said. “The police keep watching us, my wife and me. They watch all our movements. I do not want to inflict more on my family than that; I decide to choose to pay the fine.”

Algeria ranked 42nd on Christian support organization Open Doors’ 2018 World Watch List of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian.

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DemocracyRules
DemocracyRules
5 years ago

Breaking: Iran blows up again
– riots in Kazeroun
https://twitter.com/hashtag/iranprotests
– demonstrators killed, police station burned
– other demonstrations happening
– Euro giants leaving
– Seimans [Germany]
– Total [France]
– “Maersk says US sanctions make doing business in Iran impossible”
https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/world/2018/05/17/Maersk-says-US-sanctions-make-doing-business-in-Iran-impossible.html
– Iranian Rial tanks, inflation spirals
– unemployment and underemployment worsens
http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevehanke/2018/04/30/the-iranian-rial-through-the-eyes-of-the-black-market-premium/amp/
– water crisis bankrupts farmers

DemocracyRules
DemocracyRules
5 years ago
Reply to  DemocracyRules

Real inflation is much higher than the official rate
comment image

DemocracyRules
DemocracyRules
5 years ago
Reply to  DemocracyRules

$1= 42,000 Iranian Rial [official]; $1= 60,000+ [street vlaue]
comment image

DemocracyRules
DemocracyRules
5 years ago
Reply to  DemocracyRules

Casualties from yesterday
comment image
– more demonstrations happening tonight

R. Arandas
R. Arandas
5 years ago
Reply to  DemocracyRules

I hope the Iranian people win freedom…and do not share the bloody fate of China’s Tiananmen Square protesters.

IzlamDownpressesHumanity
IzlamDownpressesHumanity
5 years ago
Reply to  R. Arandas

My hope is that this revolution doesn’t turn out to be another Arab Spring where the song leaders change but the tune remains islamic.

Mahou Shoujo
Mahou Shoujo
5 years ago
Reply to  DemocracyRules

islam is always destroying things, a bit of islam being destroyed is ok. Preferably all of it.

DemocracyRules
DemocracyRules
5 years ago
Reply to  Mahou Shoujo

Hey Mahou
– yes, as usual, the big danger is that a revolution in Iran
– will just produce a different type of dictatorship
– right now the MEK are the main opposition
– and they have a history of communist sympathies
– MEK website http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/

robert v g
robert v g
5 years ago
Reply to  DemocracyRules

Quit monopolizing the comments section. Thankyou.

DemocracyRules
DemocracyRules
5 years ago
Reply to  robert v g

Please increase your number of comments. Thank You.

DemocracyRules
DemocracyRules
5 years ago

Internet war is happening in Iran
– dissidents use Telegram, etc
– authorities block web traffic, slow the data rate
– dissidents use anti-block tools
– authorities arrest anti-block tool users
– but info about demonstrations still getting out
http://www.ncr-iran.org/en/news/society/24757-iran-rouhani-orders-the-blocking-of-anti-filters

Suresh
Suresh
5 years ago

And in UK/EU Police go after those who protest muslim gang rapists and other crimes http://bit.ly/2r6F3cp

Rick Reynolds
Rick Reynolds
5 years ago

It is infuriating that the media refuses to report on the real evil that is Islam. If the public truly knew how fascist, discriminatory, abusive and brutal the laws were against non-Muslims, they’d realize it was a mistake to allow Islam into western countries.

This pastor took a huge risk-esp. if he knew their laws. Muslims cannot be trusted, it’s lucky he wasn’t killed/tortured for trying to spread Christianity which has happened to some people. I as a non-Muslim would never set foot in any Islamic country, it’s playing with fire. Once the muslims realize you’re not one of them, bad things can happen to you.

1PierreMontagne1D
1PierreMontagne1
5 years ago
Reply to  Rick Reynolds

The western media is terrified of Islam – Western Media kinow well that killing non Muslims is an act of Religious faith in Islam – the media fears anyone who believes that murder of non-muslims is simply an act of religious expression by the faithful. That is why media are so afraid to tell the truth about Islam.

Mahou Shoujo
Mahou Shoujo
5 years ago

Anyone caught with a qur’an in a public place, should have it pounded over their head until either their head of the qur’an fall apart.

DemocracyRules
DemocracyRules
5 years ago
Reply to  Mahou Shoujo

Any mosques in North Bay yet?

Mahou Shoujo
Mahou Shoujo
5 years ago
Reply to  DemocracyRules

Supposedly there is one.

DemocracyRules
DemocracyRules
5 years ago
Reply to  Mahou Shoujo

Small mosques are often located in houses

Mahou Shoujo
Mahou Shoujo
5 years ago
Reply to  DemocracyRules

comment image
This one is of questionable origin.

DemocracyRules
DemocracyRules
5 years ago
Reply to  Mahou Shoujo

Typical

Mahou Shoujo
Mahou Shoujo
5 years ago
Reply to  Mahou Shoujo

The introduction of shiria to Canada.

Cai
Cai
5 years ago
Reply to  Mahou Shoujo

LOL. Love it.

Hans Wellington
Hans Wellington
5 years ago
Reply to  Mahou Shoujo

….or he should be forced to eat it.

R. Arandas
R. Arandas
5 years ago

The amount of persecution Christians face around the world is unimaginable, yet all the liberals can do is try to victimize Muslims in the West while turning a blind eye to real evil.

tn_tea _ partyer_420
tn_tea _ partyer_420
5 years ago

screw the draw Muhammad contest let’s have a burn the Koran day just a piss the Muslims off

movingwaters
movingwaters
5 years ago

My brothers and sisters in Christ are mistreated like this every day and in most of the world. Soon it will be the same in the USA. It is not the first time people carrying a “religious” spirit have gone to great lengths to forbid the simple truth that Jesus is God in the flesh. The Bible is true. And corrupt people want you to worship and obey them instead of Him.

R. Arandas
R. Arandas
5 years ago
Reply to  movingwaters

I pray that the Body of Christ will remain strong and united in the times ahead.

Fact Slapped
Fact Slapped
5 years ago

The United States should pass a law that bans all immigrantion from any Muslim nation that has any law that bans Christians from practicing their faith, owning a Bible, or sharing the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ with anyone who is seeking the truth. Truth is the only thing that will free Muslims from the bondage of the evil ideology of Islam. We must force a global renaissance of Islam by using sanctions as compelling reasons to protect Christians from persecution and injustice. We must demand that all Islamic nations be open for Christian churches and the freedom of religion. We should demand that the same scrutiny and critical examination that has been given to the Bible is also applied to the Quran. The Quran should be forced to stand the test of truth in the light of the power of God’s Holy Word. Only when the Truth of God’s word is set free and Muslims are free to read the Bible and hear the words of Jesus will we end global terrorism and extinguish Islamic Jihad.

R. Arandas
R. Arandas
5 years ago
Reply to  Fact Slapped

Indeed, it is only fair, we have given special treatment and tolerance to Muslims and their beliefs long enough. They must do the same.

SeriousFred
SeriousFred
5 years ago

He should concider himself lucky he wasn’t beheaded.

balafama
balafama
5 years ago

and muslims in the west keep ranting about islamophobia but are completely mum about stuff like this .

R. Arandas
R. Arandas
5 years ago
Reply to  balafama

Their silence speaks volumes, in fact.

IzlamDownpressesHumanity
IzlamDownpressesHumanity
5 years ago

Muslums Persecuting/murdering/enslaving/raping Christians only elicits yawns from the dying atheist West.

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