Christians Arrested for Noon Meal During Ramadan

(Tizi Ouzou Province, Algeria) Reported this week, two forty-something Christian workers on a construction project, Hocine Hocini and Fellak Salem, were arrested for eating an "illegal" lunch during Ramadan.

The arrest of the two Algerians was made by police officers who have demonstrated an increased vigilance with regard to the eating behaviors of construction workers.

Appearing before the court, the police argued in favor of legal provisions that protect religious precepts from being disobeyed. The accused are therefore to answer for the "illegal" act: A meal while at work.

"I am optimistic... I have no regrets, I am a Christian" Hocine Hocini, told AFP. "We are innocent, we have not hurt anyone. We are Christians and we did not eat in a public place", he repeated as hundreds of supporters met them on their way out of the court.

This affair has thrown the local population into tantrums. A population that is not used to such incredibly shocking and dangerous judiciary incidents, considering that it constitutes a serious regression in what concerns the protection of civil liberties.

The bizarre incident has prompted outrage within the local population which fears its culture is being influenced too heavily by strict Islamic doctrines in Iran and Afghanistan.