As 2026 begins, numerous faith leaders around the world remain imprisoned, facing severe consequences for their beliefs. Among them is Mingri “Ezra” Jin, the founder of one of China’s largest house churches, who was arrested in October 2025 during a significant crackdown on Christianity by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Along with approximately 30 other pastors, Jin’s arrest marked one of the most extensive actions against religious leaders in nearly a decade. His daughter informed Reuters that her father, who has diabetes, was charged with “illegal use of information networks” after expanding his congregation to nearly 5,000 members through pandemic-era Zoom sermons.
If convicted, Jin could face up to seven years in prison. His case has drawn international attention, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling for his immediate release. Jin’s situation exemplifies the broader crackdown on religious freedom in China, where church services have faced increasing harassment, and more than 150 church members were interrogated.
Ukrainian Orthodox Church Leaders Face Arrests
In Ukraine, leaders of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) have encountered arrests amid accusations of ties to the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC). Metropolitan Arseniy, the abbot of the Sviatohirsk Lavra monastery, has been detained without bail since April 2024. His arrest stems from a sermon delivered during an important feast day in which he criticized Ukrainian checkpoints that hindered UOC pilgrims from accessing religious sites.
Arseniy faces charges related to allegedly disclosing information about Ukrainian military operations, a claim his lawyers strongly dispute. Reports indicate that his health is deteriorating in detention, where he endures harsh conditions, including 15-hour transfers for court hearings without food or rest. From prison, he affirmed the church’s commitment to worship and service, stating, “Banning our church brings us no nearer to peace or security. It only sows division.”
Conversely, Nikolay Romanyuk, a Russian Pentecostal pastor, was sentenced in September 2025 to four years in a labor camp after delivering a sermon titled “Not Our War.” In his address, Romanyuk condemned violence, countering statements from ROC head Patriarch Kirill, who justified military actions. Following a failed appeal, Romanyuk awaits transfer to a prison colony, highlighting the significant risks faced by religious leaders who voice dissenting opinions.
Long-Term Detentions in Eritrea and Vietnam
In Eritrea, Haile Naizghe, chairman of the Full Gospel Church of Eritrea, has languished in detention for over 21 years without trial. His prolonged imprisonment makes him one of the world’s longest-serving religious prisoners of conscience. Naizghe is believed to be held alongside six other pastors in a maximum-security facility notorious for brutal conditions. Eritrea ranks sixth on Open Doors’ World Watch List for its hostility towards Christians, where unrecognized denominations face raids and severe punishment.
In Vietnam, Ksor Ruk, a Protestant missionary, was arrested in 2018 for allegedly undermining state policies. This marked his second imprisonment; he previously served six years following a 2007 arrest. Ruk is currently serving a ten-year sentence, accused of connections with a separatist group and of reviving “Dega Protestantism,” which is practiced among the Montagnard ethnic minorities.
Additionally, in Cuba, Loreto Hernández García and his wife, Donaida Pérez Paseiro, remain imprisoned in a maximum-security facility, separated from their children. García was sentenced to seven years for “public disorder” and “contempt” after participating in a peaceful protest advocating for human rights. His wife received an eight-year sentence, with additional charges for “attacking.” Reports indicate that both have faced attempts by prison guards to force them to renounce their faith. García has been subjected to solitary confinement and denied medical care for chronic health issues.
The plight of these leaders sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by religious communities across the globe. Their stories not only reflect individual suffering but also illustrate the broader struggle for religious freedom in regions where faith can lead to severe repercussions.
