ASIA/INDIA - With regard to the case of Brian Savio O’Connor Indian Catholic tortured and imprisoned in Saudi Arabia, the Catholic Bishops of India call on the government to take official diplomatic action

Friday, 4 June 2004

AFGHANISTAN

2022-02-24
Integrating refugees into society: the commitment of the Pro Bambini Association of Kabul

2021-12-18
The Barnabites, with their hearts in Kabul: "Pray for Afghanistan"

2021-12-17
Serious food crisis: 23 million people in need

2021-11-17
Without aid from abroad, the social situation can degenerate into civil conflict and humanitarian disaster

2021-11-11
The Bishop: "For social peace, national dialogue is urgent, do not postpone it to March"

2021-11-08
Keep the door of hope open, especially for women

New Delhi (Fides Service) - There is concern and dismay among Catholics in India with regard to the case of Brian Savio O’Connor an Indian citizen residing in Karnataka and working in Saudi Arabia, tortured and imprisoned in Saudi Arabia because of his Christian faith.
The Indian Bishops’ Conference -Father Babu Joseph conference spokesman told Fides - contacted the Saudi Arabian Embassy in New Delhi, but received no information with regard to the case. The Bishops have now taken the institutional path and called on the government of India to take official diplomatic action and ask the Saudi authorities to release O’Connor.
In India, especially in the state of Karnataka - where O’Connor’s distraught relations live - the Church has called on Christians to pray for God for the man’s release.
The All India Catholic Union, a lay organisation representing India’s 16 million lay Catholics sent urgent telegramme to the Saudi King through the Ambassador in New Delhi expressing strong revulsion and deep injury felt by the Indian Christians and civil society in general and calling for the relieve of the O. Connor. “Religious freedom - said John Dayal Catholic Union vice-president - is part of today’s civilisation. It is one of the rights recognised by the United Nations for every man and women”
Mr O’Connor was beaten and tortured because he was seen praying to Jesus Christ. O’Connor was arrested six months ago Saudi religious police known as Mutawa. He was taken to Ali Hira jail in the Saudi capital Riyadh where he was whipped and tortured with electric wires. The family believes O’Connor is now detained in Olaya prison with a broken rib.
He has been charged with drug peddling and preaching Christianity, crimes punished with capital punishment. His relations say the evidence was fabricated to foist the drug charge on Brian, who is a good Christian and a good citizen of India. His relations accused the Saudi police of forcing O’Connor to convert to Islam and threatening him if he refused.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 4/6/2004 lines 27 words 288)