Two pastors have been detained without charge since March 5 after holding a public gathering without permission.
M.B. Thapa and Tandin Wangyal were arrested the day after they had been invited by another Christian to speak at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new house in Khapdani village, Samtse District. The Minister of Home and Cultural Affairs said that the pair were trying to proselytise coercively, which is forbidden in Bhutan, and had not obtained permission for the gathering.
But police said that there was no evidence for the former allegation. The pastors have not been formally charged with any offence.
