Authorities in India have withdrawn the prosecution of an American Christian pastor for carrying cash to fund a conference.
After seven months in detention authorities have lifted the travel restrictions on Bryan Nerren of the International House of Prayer Ministries in Shelbyville, Tennessee, and Asian Children’s Education Fellowship, according to the American Center for Law and Justice, which had been representing him.
WND reported several members of Congress had urged Indian Foreign Secretary Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla to release Nerren.
He has ministered in Nepal and India for nearly 20 years with various programs, including the training of Sunday School teachers. He’s been imprisoned since his arrest in October, even though ACLJ said an offer to resolve the matter was offered and accepted.
ACLJ said Nerren was “wrongfully detained” before authorities abruptly changed course and determined he should be allowed to return to his family in the U.S.
“The false charges against Pastor Nerren were dropped, the prosecution was withdrawn, and the judge lifted all travel restrictions and returned his passport,” ACLJ said.
“A misunderstanding that should have taken just hours to resolve administratively within customs, turned into a seven-month ordeal, involving false arrest, false charges, jail time, seizure of passport, travel ban, court hearings, custom reports, and appeals.”
Nerren’s alleged crime was that he was carrying funds for the conference and trip, even though “he was not even carrying the minimum amount of money that would have made it a crime.”
“The reality is Pastor Nerren was never informed of the duty, although he openly declared the funds to customs in New Delhi. He was, however, specifically asked if he was a Christian and if the funds would be used to support Christian causes. And although New Delhi customs returned the funds to Pastor Nerren and told him that he was cleared and free to go, that was definitely not the case. The truth was that he was to be falsely arrested and endure a more than seven-month nightmare, while being trapped in India,” the organization said.
“We are thrilled that Pastor Nerren has been allowed to return home to his family, who have desperately needed him. We are also grateful for the personal engagement and concern of Ambassador Juster and Consul General Parker, as well as Senators Marsha Blackburn (TN) and James Lankford (OK), and Representatives Scott DesJarlais (TN-4) and Jody Hice (GA-10), including their staff, regarding their commitment on behalf of Pastor Nerren,” ACLJ said.