90 thousand Christians are killed for their faith in 2016, half a billion are subject to discrimination

90 thousand Christians were killed in 2016 on the religious grounds, according to Italian sociologist, professor of Salesian Pontifical University (Italy) Massimo Introvigne. It is reported by Interfax.

“Every six minutes died one person. This is a bit smaller than it was two years ago, when 105 thousand Christians were killed. This year 70% are dead, i.e. 63 thousand, who were killed as a result of conflicts between African tribes,” told an expert in his interview with “Vatican Radio” with reference to the authoritative American Center for the World Christianity Studies.

According to M. Introvigne, the remaining 3% – 27 thousand – died in consequence of terrorist acts, destruction of Christian settlements, and persecutions from the government.

Speaking about the facts of persecutions of Christians in 2016, the professor noted that according to the information taken from various research centers, from 500 to 600 million Christians in 102 countries cannot practice their confession enjoying full freedom.

In his opinion, it is the Christians who form a No 1 religious group in the world by the number of persecutions.