The Saudi religious police arrested and detained overnight on September 5 at least 27 people accused of practising Christianity in a house church.
The Christians were gathered at a home in the Eastern Province city of Khafji when the house was raided. Those detained were expatriates from various Asian nationalities, and some reports suggest that children were arrested as well.
After being held in prison overnight, all but one of those arrested were released the following day, according to International Christian Concern. One individual was detained until September 7, reportedly because of an issue with his visa. The Saudi authorities also confiscated musical instruments and copies of the Bible.
The house had been placed under surveillance immediately after a citizen told the religious police that his Indian neighbour had converted his home into a Christian church. After witnessing a large number of individuals enter the home, officers called for backup and proceeded to raid the house.
The only religion which is allowed to be practised in public in Saudi Arabia is Islam.
