{"id":24150,"date":"2024-01-25T09:36:58","date_gmt":"2024-01-25T08:36:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/?p=24150"},"modified":"2024-02-22T15:50:08","modified_gmt":"2024-02-22T14:50:08","slug":"pastor-must-begin-prison-term-for-praying-after-nepali-supreme-court-denies-his-appeal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/en-gb\/news\/pastor-must-begin-prison-term-for-praying-after-nepali-supreme-court-denies-his-appeal","title":{"rendered":"Pastor must begin prison term for praying after Nepali Supreme Court denies his appeal"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"24150\" class=\"elementor elementor-24150\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6c0e2d0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6c0e2d0\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f41f81b\" data-id=\"f41f81b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c806f4a elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"c806f4a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><b>Nepali Pastor Keshab Acharya faces a year of jail time for prayer and evangelism after a court refused to hear his appeal challenging his conviction from late November 2021. <\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-angle-right\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\"><b>ADF continues to support Pastor Keshab and advocating for Nepal to uphold its international commitments to religious freedom  <\/b><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f87cb78 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f87cb78\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Kathmandu<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\"> (25 January 2024) \u2013 In a detrimental development for <a href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/our-focus\/religious-freedom\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">religious freedom<\/a> in Nepal, the Nepali Supreme Court has released an order on January 23rd for Pastor Keshab Raj Acharya to serve one year in prison for peaceful religious activity. Pastor Keshab must now face his prison sentence unless the court accepts his appeal to have the prison sentence converted into a fine.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cWhile facing more jailtime is distressing, I find solace in God, believing that anything is possible through Him. I urge the international community to engage with the Nepali government to safeguard religious freedom in order to pave the way for true religious freedom for everyone in Nepal. I thank everyone for their continued support and prayers for me and my family,\u201d said Pastor Keshab.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Timeline of the case <\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">It all began in March 2020: Pastor Keshab received a call from a man requesting prayer for his sick wife. In response, the pastor invited the man to come to his house for a prayer. Later four police officers arrested him. He was released on 8 April 2020, only to be re-arrested a day later on charges of \u201coutraging religious feelings\u201d and \u201cproselytizing\u201d for distributing religious leaflets. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The Dolpa District Attorney\u2019s office filed charges on 21 May 2020 under Nepal\u2019s criminal code <\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">which penalizes religious propagation<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">. Nepal criminalizes conversions and even the attempt to convert any person. The punishment for conversion is up to five years\u2019 imprisonment and a fine of up to 50,000 Nepali rupees ($375).<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">One and a half years later, in November 2021, Pastor Keshab was sentenced to two years in prison and a fine of 20,000 Nepali rupees (approx. 170 USD) for the alleged \u201coutraging religious feelings\u201d and \u201cproselytizing\u201d. Just before Christmas 2021 he was released on bail. On 13 July 2022 the next instance, the Jumla High Court reviewed the case. Though the court confirmed the conviction, it reduced the punishment to one year of prison. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Supreme Court confirms prison sentence for prayer and leaflets<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">With the help of ADF International, he again appealed the decision and was free on bail until the Supreme Court of Nepal would hear the case. The Supreme Court now declined to do so and thus upheld the Jumla High Court\u2019s sentence. Pastor Keshab\u2019s only chance to forego imprisonment is that the Supreme Court would accept his appeal to convert the sentence into a fine. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cNo one should live in fear of being arrested or criminally charged for peacefully sharing their religious beliefs. And no one should be sent to prison for praying and sharing their faith. In upholding Pastor Keshab\u2019s prison sentence, the Supreme Court of Nepal has not only violated his basic human rights to religious freedom, but also missed out on a crucial opportunity to set a positive precedent allowing others to engage in prayer and evangelism without fear of punishment. We urge the Nepali government to ensure that all are able to freely practice and profess their faith by safeguarding fundamental freedoms in line with its international commitments,\u201d said Tehmina Arora, Director of Advocacy, Asia for ADF International.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6d9eba elementor-widget elementor-widget-video\" data-id=\"c6d9eba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;youtube_url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/youtu.be\\\/9kbdtNK7nOA&quot;,&quot;show_image_overlay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;image_overlay&quot;:{&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/adfinternational.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/03\\\/Keshab-portrait-smiling.jpg&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:4970,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;Pastor Keshab of Nepal&quot;,&quot;source&quot;:&quot;library&quot;},&quot;video_type&quot;:&quot;youtube&quot;,&quot;controls&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"video.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-wrapper elementor-open-inline\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-video\"><\/div>\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-custom-embed-image-overlay\" style=\"background-image: url(https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Keshab-portrait-smiling.jpg);\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-custom-embed-play\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Play Video about Pastor Keshab of Nepal\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"eicon-play\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c168f2a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c168f2a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-weight ); letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-word-spacing );\" data-contrast=\"none\">Reflecting on almost three months of imprisonment before his sentencing, Pastor Keshab said: \u201cIt was very difficult for me. I would think of my little children and my wife, and I would cry out to the Lord in prayer. I would look up at Him in hope that if it is in His will that I should be put through this, He would get me out of this.\u201d<\/span><span style=\"font-family: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-family ), Sans-serif; font-size: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-size ); font-weight: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-font-weight ); letter-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-letter-spacing ); word-spacing: var( --e-global-typography-5916e0c-word-spacing );\" data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">For more information on Pastor Keshab\u2019s case\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/cases\/keshab\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">see here<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"none\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559738&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:240,&quot;335559740&quot;:259}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Appeal filed to protect religious freedom in Nepal<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:6,&quot;335551620&quot;:6,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In partnership with local allies, ADF International is supporting Pastor Keshab\u2019s legal defense.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u201cThe decision of the Supreme Court to decline to hear the appeal and therefore confirm the sentencing of Pastor Keshab to one year in prison is distressing. Pastor Keshab was merely helping sick people by praying to God for their well-being. The District Court\u2019s decision went beyond the scope of the law and needs to be corrected. Together with Pastor Keshab\u2019s local lawyer, Indra Prasad Aryal, we are exploring the possibility of having his prison sentence reduced and converted into a fine,\u201d said Tehmina Arora. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:true,&quot;134233118&quot;:true,&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335551550&quot;:1,&quot;335551620&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:0,&quot;335559737&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d133db9 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"d133db9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-643406a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"643406a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tImages for free use in print or online in relation to this story only\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-868d8a6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-gallery\" data-id=\"868d8a6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;aspect_ratio&quot;:&quot;1:1&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;gallery_layout&quot;:&quot;grid&quot;,&quot;columns&quot;:4,&quot;columns_tablet&quot;:2,&quot;columns_mobile&quot;:1,&quot;gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;file&quot;,&quot;overlay_background&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;content_hover_animation&quot;:&quot;fade-in&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery__container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c6fa71 elementor-widget elementor-widget-gallery\" data-id=\"6c6fa71\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;aspect_ratio&quot;:&quot;1:1&quot;,&quot;lazyload&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;gallery_layout&quot;:&quot;grid&quot;,&quot;columns&quot;:4,&quot;columns_tablet&quot;:2,&quot;columns_mobile&quot;:1,&quot;gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:10,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;link_to&quot;:&quot;file&quot;,&quot;overlay_background&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;content_hover_animation&quot;:&quot;fade-in&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"gallery.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery__container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Keshab-portrait-smiling.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"6c6fa71\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Keshab Portrait Smiling\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6NDk3MCwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL2FkZmludGVybmF0aW9uYWwub3JnXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIyXC8wM1wvS2VzaGFiLXBvcnRyYWl0LXNtaWxpbmcuanBnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiNmM2ZmE3MSJ9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Keshab-portrait-smiling-1024x676.jpg\" data-width=\"1024\" data-height=\"676\" aria-label=\"Pastor Keshab of Nepal\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Pastor-Keshab-Raj-Acharya-and-his-family.-Morning-Star-News.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"6c6fa71\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Pastor Keshab Raj Acharya And His Family. Morning Star News\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6Mjc0MiwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL2FkZmludGVybmF0aW9uYWwub3JnXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIxXC8xMlwvUGFzdG9yLUtlc2hhYi1SYWotQWNoYXJ5YS1hbmQtaGlzLWZhbWlseS4tTW9ybmluZy1TdGFyLU5ld3MuanBnIiwic2xpZGVzaG93IjoiNmM2ZmE3MSJ9\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Pastor-Keshab-Raj-Acharya-and-his-family.-Morning-Star-News.jpg\" data-width=\"636\" data-height=\"479\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"e-gallery-item elementor-gallery-item elementor-animated-content\" href=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Tehemina_Arora_2.jpg\" data-elementor-open-lightbox=\"yes\" data-elementor-lightbox-slideshow=\"6c6fa71\" data-elementor-lightbox-title=\"Tehemina_Arora_2\" data-e-action-hash=\"#elementor-action%3Aaction%3Dlightbox%26settings%3DeyJpZCI6MTMyMSwidXJsIjoiaHR0cHM6XC9cL2FkZmludGVybmF0aW9uYWwub3JnXC93cC1jb250ZW50XC91cGxvYWRzXC8yMDIxXC8wOFwvVGVoZW1pbmFfQXJvcmFfMi5qcGciLCJzbGlkZXNob3ciOiI2YzZmYTcxIn0%3D\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-gallery-image elementor-gallery-item__image\" data-thumbnail=\"https:\/\/adfinternational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Tehemina_Arora_2.jpg\" data-width=\"400\" data-height=\"450\" aria-label=\"\" role=\"img\" ><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-gallery-item__overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p> In a detrimental development for religious freedom in Nepal, the Nepali Supreme Court has ordered Pastor Keshab Raj Acharya to serve one year in prison for peaceful religious activity.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":4970,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"give_campaign_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[736],"tags":[315,270,27,271],"class_list":["post-24150","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-keshab","tag-nepal","tag-religious-freedom","tag-tehmina-arora"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - 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