Authorities in Algeria’s north-eastern city of Tizi-Ouzou, in the Kabylie region, have closed down a day care center for Christian children.  The Early Childhood Home was established more than 10 years ago by Eglise Protestante du Plein Evangile (The Full Gospel Protestant Church), also known by its French acronym EPPETO.  EPPETO is the biggest church in Algeria. It welcomes 1,200 members for its weekly

services and oversees 15 other smaller churches in the region. On April 17, the pastor of the church was summoned to the Central Police Station, where he was given a notification (issued by the Governor of Tizi-Ouzou region) to seal the door leading to the care center, which is located on the premises of his church. The authorities accused Pastor Salah Chalah of “unlawfully” running the center, which has been ordered to remain closed “until the situation is administratively settled”. READ MORE