A pastor convicted for handing out gospel tracts fears that the precedent of his case will result in other Christians being wrongfully imprisoned.
“In case someone willfully converts to Christ, the police and the court will convict the person through whom this believer has heard the message of Christ and His salvation,” said Keshab Raj Acharya, pastor of Abundant Harvest Church in Pokhara, Nepal.
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Acharya was the first person convicted under Nepal’s new criminal code about proselytizing, Morning Star News reported. The code went into effect in 2018 and Acharya was convicted Nov. 30, 2021.
Evangelizing in Nepal has been illegal for years. However, in 2018, a new criminal code went into effect, placing excessive restrictions on freedom of religion and evangelism, Christian leaders told Morning Star. Hinduism appears to be protected.
Under the new code, punishment for convictions on evangelism or “forcible” conversion are imprisonment up to five years and $600.
Originally, Acharya was sentenced to two years in prison and a fine of $167. On July 13, a court reduced the penalty to one year in prison and $75. On Oct. 6, Nepal’s Supreme Court refused Acharya’s appeal.
