Source: Middle East Concern, September 21, 2026
Christians in Algeria are asking for prayer for 12 Christians, women and men, who were detained [during a special forces police raid on September 4] and interrogated by the police, and will probably face charges.
The police had a search warrant and confiscated the individuals’ identity documents, personal phones, and all Christian literature found at the premises.
The men were kept at the police station until the early morning hours of the following day and were intensively interrogated. The women were allowed to return home and were asked to come back the next day for interrogation. They were told that they would face charges and appear before a court.
Based on similar cases, the charges could be brought under [an ordinance] that regulates the worship of non-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, which began at the end of 2017, continues to intensify. More than 50 Christians, especially church leaders, have faced legal prosecution on religion-related charges and have had to close their churches because of threats and intimidation.
Read the full story with prayer points.
For more detail, see Police in Algeria Arrest 12 Christians during Worship (Morning Star News). We looked for an update but have not found one.
Readers might also be interested in a series of new articles on the disappearing Christian church in the Middle East (International Christian Concern).