ASIA/LAOS - One of the Christians condemned for praying for a sick woman has died in prison

Savannakhet (Agenzia Fides) - Tiang, a Christian from the village of Huey, in the district of Atsaphangthong, part of the territory of the province of Savannakhet died in prison, because of a serious complication of diabetes. Tiang had been arrested and sentenced to nine months in prison by a court in Savannakhet. As reported to Fides by the NGO "Human Rights Watch for Lao Religious Freedom" (HRWLRF), Tiang suffered from diabetes and needed special care for the complications of the disease, but the treatment in prison was not administered. During his days in prison Tiang asked for permission to be treated in a hospital, but prison officials denied the permission. Tiang was married and had six children.
The People’s Court had based its ruling on article 82 of Laos penal law (“unlicensed professional medical care”), declaring that Tiang and other four Christians with their attempts to cure the women, had caused her death (see Fides 16/02/2015).
The NGO HRWLRF calls on the government of Laos to blame prison authorities for Tiang's death.
The Court of Appeal will rule on the other four Christians accused of the same crime: for having prayed for a dying woman (see Fides 04/03/2015). (PA) (Agenzia Fides 21/09/2015)

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