Six Libyans who left Islam and converted to Christianity are now facing the death penalty, as we read in Mission Network News:

In Libya, persecution is an inherent risk of becoming a Christian. According to Riadh Jaballah, friend of Voice of the Martyrs Canada, the Libyan Church is primarily an underground church.

“The believers still don’t connect to each other because they’re afraid because the persecution,” he says. “They have this fear to connect and to share and to witness.”

That persecution largely stems from a lack of stability in Libya’s government and leadership. Some countries face eras of violence or conflict over specific issues; Libya faces these obstacles constantly. “Libya has plunged into chaos and divisions with government[s] competent for the power,” Jaballah says. “The government is like two states in one.”

The one thing that seems to remain consistent is that Libya is a primarily Islamic country. Unfortunately, this means that extremists take special offense to Christians who have converted from Islam. “If anybody left Islam… they believe they can kill them or persecute them.”

Right now, at least six believers are languishing in Libyan prisons awaiting sentencing for illegal converstion from Islam. One of the potential punishments they could face is execution.