In 1959 they were obliged to halt their activities and the following year, like Bahá’í, were declared illegal by presidential decree. However, despite receiving formal recognition during this period, first in Cairo in 1951 and then in Alexandria in 1956, the Jehovah’s Witnesses suffered an increasing wave of hostile rumours accusing them of being covert Zionists and a threat to national security. There are currently 1,000-1,500 Jehovah’s Witnesses living in Egypt: despite being a form of Christianity, the faith is not officially recognized.79 Congregations were formally established in the country from the 1930s and were able to practice with relative freedom until the 1950s. We have a small favour to ask: if you appreciate our work, would you mind considering making a donation to support our work? Sign up to stay connected.Thanks for using our World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples! We hope you find it interesting. Local news direct to your inboxĪBC Sunshine Coast will deliver a wrap of the week's news, stories and photos every Wednesday. The man was remanded in custody until his next court appearance on October 28. The documents show police intended to issue more warrants and raised the possibility that allowing the man bail could give him an opportunity to delete evidence.Ī day before his arrest the defendant allegedly met with one of the victims and was recorded electronically allegedly admitting to having multiple videos of his sexual offences. Police allege the defendant admitted at the time of his arrest that he was in the process of buying a property overseas. The accused man's defence barrister, Kelvin Pearson, indicated his client would not be making a bail application at his next court date on October 28.ĭocuments show police had objected to the application due to the defendant's broad network of contacts and financial standing, which they argued created a "high and unacceptable risk" that he would flee the country and interfere with the investigation.ĭocuments show the accused owns up to five properties, including four units, and holds multiple passports. Police allege two of the victims tried to report to religious elders and "were chastised, not believed and ostracised" and accused of being homosexual, before they went to police. Victims of Crime Helpline: 1800 819 817.Lifeline (24-hour Crisis Line): 131 114.Safe Steps Crisis Line (Vic): 1800 015 188.Sexual Assault Crisis Line Victoria: 1800 806 292.Sexual assault and family violence support lines: Police say they have struggled to make enquires and approach some witnesses, noting the "secretive closed ranks" of the church. The documents show that police allege the extent of abuse greatly varied between the victims and that in some cases others were present. Some of the offences are also alleged to have occurred at the man's business premises. Police allege the sex acts against several men, including ex-bible study students, occurred over years at several properties on the Sunshine Coast and in Brisbane. She claimed in the court documents that another of the alleged victims "chose to embrace a lifestyle contrary to bible teachings". She clarified the term meant the group were "formerly members of our church who are now against our church". In an affidavit tendered to the Maroochydore Magistrates Court in support of the bail application that was later abandoned, the woman also called the people who had made allegations against her husband "apostates". He withdrew his application for bail at Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Wednesday after the hearing was adjourned on Monday.Īccording to court documents obtained by the ABC, several victims were allegedly convinced by the defendant to participate in "energy sessions", which consisted of standing naked in front of a mirror chanting affirmations. The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, has been charged with more than 50 offences including rape, torture, and procuring sex acts by false pretence.
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