Source: www.persecution.org
Date: September 13, 2024
Indonesia (International Christian Concern) — Christian apologist Gratia Pello is out on parole after nearly a year in an Indonesian prison.
Pello was arrested and charged with blasphemy on Dec. 6, 2022, for allegedly insulting the Islamic prophet Muhammad in a video he posted that refuted insults against Jesus. Following his arrest, Pello’s condition remained unknown for several months.
An International Christian Concern (ICC) staffer who recently spoke with Pello confirmed his release, stating that Pello was granted parole on Feb. 20. He must report to the prosecutor's office monthly until his parole ends in December.
Before his arrest, four police officers questioned Pello in his home about the content of episode 248 of his YouTube channel, which police said offended Muslims and Islam. After the officers left his home, Pello also left. When he returned home at 11 p.m., he saw nearly 30 officers in his house going through his belongings. An officer then arrested him.
Following his trial on April 17, 2023, a Malan district court judge sentenced Pello to two years and six months in prison.
Pello, a Coptic Orthodox Christian, was a professor at a small Christian theological school in East Java and regularly published videos and blog posts that compared Christianity to Islam. Pello was known for his debates regarding the two religions, and his content reached many people online.
While Indonesia’s constitution and multiple Indonesian officials emphasize the importance of religious freedom, Christians and other religious minorities in the Muslim-majority country often face persecution.
How to Pray: Praise God for his faithfulness to release Gratia Pello from prison. Pray for him as he transitions back to freed life and his safety. Pray for those who are still in prison (Hebrews 13:3) and may be facing hardships and trials of various kinds. Pray for their strength in prison to endure for Christ.