Christian leaders, religious freedom advocates and political figures around the world have raised alarm after two prominent South Korean pastors were detained for more than a month without conviction.
Dr Hak Ja Han Moon, the 82-year-old co-founder of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, formerly known as the Unification Church, has been held at Seoul Detention Centre for over 30 days.
The religious leader, who also co-founded The Washington Times with her late husband Rev Sun Myung Moon, is awaiting trial on bribery and embezzlement charges which she denies.
Her lawyers say she has been subjected to interrogations lasting up to 12 hours despite being almost blind and suffering from a heart condition.
Also detained is 62-year-old Rev Son Hyun-bo, founder of the Segeroh Presbyterian Church and a former South Korean special forces soldier.
Rev Hyun-bo has been accused of violating election laws after publicly criticising President Lee Jae-myung. His family say his cell conditions are poor, and his health is deteriorating.
Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, a long-time advocate for global religious freedom, described the case as “deeply troubling,” having warned that “assaults on religious liberty are a betrayal of democratic principles".
Jan Figel, former EU special envoy for freedom of religion and president of the NGO Forum for Religious Freedom Europe, said the detentions represent “a purge” of political opponents.
According to The Washington Times, other pastors have faced raids, investigations and questioning on political matters.