ASIA/NORTH KOREA - An American arrested for a Bible has been released

Friday, 7 November 2014

KOREA, DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF

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Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - The US citizen Jeffrey Fowle is back home in the United States, after being held in North Korea for six months for leaving a copy of the Bible in a bar. "I had heard about the severe persecution of Christians, often illegal", said Fowle giving reasons for his action. After Fowle's release, two other American citizens, Matthew Todd Miller and the missionary Kenneth Bae are still in custody, sentenced to forced labor for alleged crimes against the state.
The Swedish government had a key role in Fowle’s release. Even the Russian nationality of Fowle's wife, Tatiana, may have helped to influence the authorities for his release.
While North Korea is known for its human rights abuses and inhumane treatment of prisoners, Fowle says he had a different experience: he was held under house arrest in a hotel. "I did not suffer any physical abuse. Three meals a day. From the third week of detention, I was allowed to go out everyday for 30-40 minutes", he said. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 07/11/2014)