Norwegian missionary released from jail, and on his way home
Norway Post (15.02.2001)/ HRWF International Secretariat (16.02.2001) - Website: http://www.hrwf.net - Email: info@hrwf.net - The Norwegian missionary Trond Berg was released from jail in the Nepalese capital Katmandu on Thursday morning, according to Magazinet.
Berg was jailed on October 29th, charged with illegal proselyting. He was sentenced on Sunday to 3 months and 20 days, which he had already served while in custody.
Berg is now on his way home, and will probably arrive on Saturday, NRK reports.
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Jailed Norwegian missionary to be released soon
Norway Post (12.02.2001) / HRWF International Secretariat (13.02.2001) - Website: http://www.hrwf.net - Email: info@hrwf.net - The Norwegian missionary Trond Berg who was jailed in Nepal for illegal proselyting, will probably be released and allowed to leave the country on Thursday, NRK reports.
Berg was sentenced to three months and 20 days in jail. His time will be up on Thursday, since he was jailed on October 29th.
The court started its hearing at the end of January, and Berg risked up to six years in jail.
Berg was charged with trying to convert a Hindu to Christianity, by offering him a sum of 40,000 rupies (NOK 5,000).
He denied that he at any time had tried to convert anyone to Christianity by offering money, or by using force.
Attempting to convert Hindus to Christianity is forbidden according to the Nepalese constitution.
Jailed Norwegian missionary a possible prisoner of conscience
by Rolleiv Solholm
Norway Post (11.01.2001)/ HRWF International Secretariat (17.01.2001) - Website: http://www.hrwf.net - Email: info@hrwf.net - Amnesty International will on Thursday decide whether or not it will declare jailed Norwegian missionary Trond Berg a prisoner of conscience. Berg was arrested in Nepal on October 29th last year, for alleged illegal proselyting.
Berg was first arrested in the town of Rajbiraj, but was in December moved to the Central Prison in the capital, Katmandu.
Trond Berg was charged with trying to convert a Hindu to Christianity, by offering him a sum of 40,000 rupies (NOK 5,000). If sentenced, Berg risks up to six years in jail.
Berg claims the accusations against him are based on lies. In a letter to the Christian newspaper Magazinet, Berg writes that false evidence was brought against him in court.
He denies that he at any time has tried to convert anyone to Christianity by offering money, or by using force.
Attempting to convert Hindus to Christianity is forbidden according to the Nepalese constitution.
The Norwegian Embassy in Nepal has attempted to have Berg released on bail, until his case comes before the court, but has not succeeded.
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Nepal turns down appeal from Norwegian missionary
Nepal's Supreme Court has refused to hear the case of the jailed Norwegian missionary Trond Berg (36).
Norway Post (04.01.2001) / HRWF International Secretariat (09.01.2001) - Website: http://www.hrwf.net - Email: info@hrwf.net - Berg was jailed in Nepal at the end of October, accused of illegal proselyting, charged with trying to convert a Hindu to Christianity, by offering him a sum of 40,000 rupies (NOK 5,000). If sentenced, Berg risks up to six years in jail.
Foreign Office spokesman Karsten Klepsvik says the Norwegian authorities have done more than usual in their efforts to obtain Berg's release.
A private support group working for Berg's release are surprised at the Supreme Court's decision, and has now asked Norway to withhold all aid to Nepal. It is also of the opinion that Foreign Minister Thorbjoern Jagland should travel to Nepal, in order to discuss Berg's case with political leaders in Nepal, NRK reports.
Berg claims the accusations against him are based on lies. In a letter to the Christian newspaper Magazinet, Berg writes that false evidence was brought against him in court.
He denies that he at any time has tried to convert anyone to Christianity by offering money, or by using force.
Attempting to convert Hindus to Christianity is forbidden according to the Nepalese constitution.
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