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New Delhi, India, 29th
October 2004 (CNA) -
The Fides News Agency
is reporting on a new call by Christians in India for
the release of Brian Savio O’Connor, a Catholic from
India who is imprisoned in Saudi Arabia for the crime of
“spreading Christianity,” which has earned him a
10-month sentence and 300 lashings.
The All India Catholic
Union, operated by lay Catholics, and the All India
Christian Council, which brings together Christians from
different denominations, have sent a letter to the Saudi
king and to the President of India calling for the
release of O’Connor.
The leader of the two
organizations, John Dayal, denounced Saudi police for
torturing O’Connor during his retention and said he has
been the victim of other false accusations such as the
illegal sale of alcohol.
The letter states that
“Indians go to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries to
get out of hopeless poverty and to improve their
financial situation. Brian has no criminal history
either in his country or abroad and we believe he has
been detained only because of his religious
convictions.”
The letter asks the Indian
government to intercede with the Saudi authorities for
the release of O’Connor, and it asks the Saudi king for
an act of clemency. |
