12 Christians Arrested in Algeria

Christians in Algeria are asking for prayer for 12 Christians – women and men – who were arrested, interrogated by the police, and will likely be charged with a crime.

That is according to reporting from Stefanus Alliance’s partner Middle East Concern, first published on September 21.

On September 4, 2026, a special police unit raided a humanitarian institute approximately 25 kilometers east of the city of Oran, where a group of Christians had been gathering.

The police showed a search warrant and confiscated the identity papers and mobile phones of the Christians who had gathered, as well as all Christian literature that was found. None of the confiscated items have been returned.

The men were held at the police station until early the next morning and subjected to intense questioning. The women were allowed to go home but were asked to return the next day for questioning. They were told they would be charged and brought before a court.

The institute consists of several buildings, including a chapel where the group had previously met – but the chapel was closed and sealed, following a court order in the summer of 2021. Since then, the group of Christians has met in an associated private building.

Based on similar cases, the charges could be brought under Ordinance 06-03, which regulates the worship of non-Muslims. They could include “holding non-Muslim worship without permission” and “holding worship in an unauthorised place.”

Christian literature could also be used as the basis for charges of “agitating or shaking the faith of Muslims.” If convicted, those charged could face imprisonment of 2–5 years and heavy fines.

The Christian literature found could also be used as the basis for charges of “agitating or shaking the faith of Muslims.” If convicted, those charged could face imprisonment of 2–5 years and heavy fines.

A systematic campaign targeting Protestant Christians and churches in Algeria began in eearnest in late 2017. It continues to intensify. All but one of the 47 Protestant churches affiliated with the umbrella organization EPA (Église Protestante d’Algérie, which represents most Protestant churches in Algeria) have either been sealed by the authorities or forced to close.

More than 50 Christians, especially church leaders, have been prosecuted on religion-related charges and have had to close their churches as a result of threats and harassment.

Christians in Algeria now ask us to pray:

– for the church members and their families, that they would know comfort and wisdom,
– that the church leaders will face no further legal proceedings and will be acquitted if brought before the courts,
– for Algerian church leaders to persevere in the face of increasing challenges to churches and individual Christians,
– that the government campaign against Christians and other affected communities will cease, so they can live in peace and freedom.

Originally written by Johannes Morken.