A Christian living in northwestern China was reportedly arrested after listening to the Bible with a USB device in his car.
The unnamed believer — referred to as Brother AK in an Aug. 13 report from Premier Christian News — was stopped at a checkpoint while driving with his family through a Muslim-majority part of China to visit other Christians.
He reportedly told officials that “because I believe in Jesus, I was listening to the Bible through the USB.”
Brother AK was detained for questions, and his wife and children — including their baby — were separated from him.
Several days passed without news of his whereabouts as the family stayed with nearby Christians.
Then the host family received a call from authorities inquiring into their relationship with Brother AK’s family.
Please pray – a believer in China has been detained for listening to the Bible through a USB stick connected to his car.
‘Brother AK’ comes from a Muslim background and lives in the north west of the country. During a long drive with his family to visit other believers, they… pic.twitter.com/DEJ5FsO4zF
— Open Doors UK (@OpenDoorsUK) August 12, 2026
“At present, AK’s situation remains unclear, and we do not yet know what consequences he may face,” Jason, a local partner with the ministry Open Doors, told Premier Christian News.
“We were recently informed that AK will be detained for 15 days. However, no specific charge or official basis for his detention has been disclosed by the authorities. We urgently need to pray.”
Brother AK lives in a town with close surveillance where other Christians have received similar harassment.
One believer found listening to the Bible through earphones was previously detained for 15 days.
Chinese officials later detained other Christians from his church for one or two days.
“Incidents like these are becoming more common in China, as the authorities tighten their grip on any religious activity deemed a threat to the regime’s ideological control,” Open Doors said of Brother AK’s persecution.
“That even extends to the Christian media that believers consume in private, which many rely on for discipleship and fellowship.”
The ministry added that Brother AK is one of many Christians across the communist nation “who are under intense pressure because of the increasing surveillance of the authorities alongside ever-tightening religious laws.”
“It’s forcing believers further underground and deeper into the shadows. Despite this, they are looking to stand firm, but to do so, your prayers and support are critical,” the ministry added.
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