Please let him know we are praying for him. This is just so sad. It reminds me of how they got mad at Paul when he preached back then... they were making so much money from selling all the little silver gods and goddesses that they were threatened economically by those who would convert to Christianity. How little things have changed!
We know nothing of the persecution of the Church - we know nothing. I listen to the Mission News Networka and have also received news over the years from VOM, and unless people pay attention to these organizations, there is little to no media attention to these despicable acts on Christians.
Christ have mercy.