(ANS) – A major Catholic news service joined an international campaign Friday, September 17, to free a “tortured” Christian guest worker from India who was reportedly produced before an Islamic court this week on charges of “spreading Christianity.” Brian O’Connor “was beaten and tortured and threatened with death unless he abjured his Christian faith,” said AsiaNews, quoting several human rights groups, including Middle East Concern. “Along with other associations, AsiaNews has embarked on an international campaign for Mr. O’Connor’s release,” the news organization said. Another Christian news agency, Compass Direct, said it had learned that O’Connor’s hearing in front of an Islamic court in Riyadh Wednesday, September 15, lasted 90 minutes.