Nepalese police detained 24 South Korean Christians earlier this month. They are accused of taking part in religious teaching and training while in the country on tourist visas. All 24 have since been released.

The group was taken into custody in Sundarharaicha, in Morang District, on Friday 9 October, and sent to the immigration department in Kathmandu. The visitors had been attending a programme at New Covenant College, a Christian school in Morang, in Koshi Province. The college is run with support from a South Korea-based missionary organisation.

Police say some of the group’s activities may not have complied with the terms of their tourist visas. Foreign nationals on tourist visas are barred from religious education or evangelism in Nepal. A local official said the case had been handed to immigration for investigation and possible deportation.

The college’s principal, Sarad KC, told UCA News the visitors were meeting believers inside a Bible college and were not preaching in public. He said the arrests raise fears of targeted hostility towards Christians by the state. The college has offered theological courses to Nepalese Christians since 2013.

South Korea’s foreign ministry said it had been in close contact with Nepalese authorities through its embassy in Kathmandu and was providing consular help. The embassy also asked immigration officials to release some detainees early on health grounds, and all 24 were freed by Wednesday 14 October.

The case comes amid wider concern about the treatment of Christians in Nepal, a majority-Hindu country. The constitution guarantees freedom of religion but bans converting others to a different faith.