Further intimidation and church closures were taking place in early March following several months of persecution and intimidation of Christians in Algeria.
In November the Timothée college in Oran, the church and the bookshop were closed. Following this, several brothers were summoned in Oran and Tiaret, and a pastor and his wife were expelled.
A pastor’s wife from Oran recounted what took place with the latest closure: ‘The police turned up in the church of Oran with the prefect’s order to close it down. This morning was the last worship of tears, praise and prayers. The police will return on Sunday to put seals on the door of the meeting place. The oratory belongs to the Methodist Church and the services are celebrated every Friday morning. African students met on Saturday, and Sunday for Cameroonians. A few days ago, the police closed the Ouargla Church in the south of the country. During the week the police returned to the church of Tizi Ouzou in Kabylie without warning, to inspect the scene and summoned the pastor.’
