April 23 2001

ARTICLE TOOLS

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They were reportedly told not to leave the country or talk about their detention, according to a source who did not want to be identified, but it is unclear if any other conditions were attached to their release.

Three Christians remain in detention, including Fredie Chong, who was earlier reported to have been released. Two other believers called in for questioning on February 22 were released the same day. A source close to the case said the Christians were detained because they had participated in a well-organized prayer program.

Among those released in mid-February were Tokching bin Ikas, an engineer with the health department; Mary Cheong, a dentist; "Ibu" Roslin, a housewife; and a person identified only as Mariam Murang. They were arrested on January 30.

Murang, Cheong, and Roslin are reported to be in good spirits. While imprisoned, Cheong and Roslin fasted, prayed and sang "like Paul and Silas," a friend reported. Concerned prison guards asked them how they remained strong without eating.

Just after midnight on December 17, about 50 police officers, including agents from the religious affairs department, surrounded the house of Malai Taufick Haji Malai Mashor in Bandar Seri Begawan, the capital of Brunei. Identifying themselves as officers from the Internal Security Department (ISD), they conducted a thorough search and took away three bags of "incriminating evidence": Bibles, Christian literature, audio testimony tapes and other Christianity-related items. They then arrested Taufick and Yunus Murang (brother of Mariam Murang).

The next day, ISD ...