Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Ryadh (Fides Service) - Indian born Brian Savio O’Connor, a Catholic, used the truth, the only resource at hand, to counter false police reports and accusations during a hearing at Ryadh law courts on September 15, Fides learned in a report from Middle East Concern.
The man, an immigrant worker, has been in prison since March charged with four offences: possession of 12 bottles of alcohol; possession of money made from selling alcohol; possession of pornographic videos; possession of Bibles for his activity as a Christian preacher.
According to Middle East Concern (MEC), a coalition of Christians in the Middle East and North Africa, both local and expatriate, and Christian organisations and individuals in the West that are concerned with assisting Christians when they face discrimination or persecution, O’Connor told the court that the videos, for personal use, were mostly recordings from a Christian satellite TV channel in English and had no pornographic content. He said he had the bibles with him when he first arrived in Saudi Arabia and the customs authorities made no objection. He also said the Bible on his computer was for personal study.
In his defence Brian referred the court to an article in the local edition of Arab News newspaper, 9th April 2003 issue, in which deputy interior minister Prince Ahmad is quoted as saying that non-Muslims in Saudi Arabia may practice their religion in private. The court appeared to be unaware of this and ordered that his claims be verified. With regard to the chage of possession of alcohol and sale of alcohol to an undercover official, Brian told the court that the accusation is false since he never had alcohol in his possession and he himself does not drink.
The judge told Brian that at the next hearing, for which no date was given, the religious police, the muttawa, would be present and both sides would be questioned about the allegations. In the meantime Catholics in India and in many other countries have joined a prayer campaign to support Brian at this time of trial.
O’Connor was arrested in March in Riyadh by the religious police muttawa. He was beaten and tortured and threatened with death unless he abjured his Christian faith. An international chain campaign for his release started in India has spread through Europe and America.
In its 2004 Report on Religious Freedom in the World, the US state department states voices concern that in Saudi Arabia “there is no religious freedom” and it deplores the fact that “this fundamental right is for Sunni Muslims only, it is denied to anyone who follows another religion”.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 22/9/2004 lines 36 words 378)
