Libya arrests suspected Christian missionaries

Four foreigners were arrested in Libya on suspicion of distributing books about Christianity and proselytizing, a spokesperson for Preventative Security, a special branch of the police, confirmed on Sunday.       

"On Monday we arrested a group, we found a print shop in Shabnah area in Benghazi city, we found 45-thousand Christian books," said Hussein Bin Hamid.   

"This net included people from four different countries, from Egypt, South Africa, a person from Korea, a person from Sweden who has American nationality."     

Spreading Christianity is a crime in the predominantly Muslim North African county.     

The four were arrested in the eastern city of Benghazi on Monday and are under investigation for printing and distributing books that proselytize Christianity.    

Police said they found 45-thousand books in their possession and that another 25-thousand have already been distributed.     

"We are a 100 per cent Muslim country, this issue is not negotiable. It's prohibited to proselytize in Libya because it is an entirely Muslim country," said bin Hamid.   

Last year, the International Committee of the Red Cross had to suspend its activities in Benghazi after assailants launched attacks on its offices.      

The aid group was accused by some in Libya of distributing Bibles and proselytizing.

APTN