Persecution watchdog International Christian Concern (ICC) is calling on believers to pray and petition for the release of four Christian converts in Libya who have reportedly been imprisoned and tortured by the state.

According to ICC, the four Christian converts from Islam were picked up by Libyan intelligence officials and have been in prison in the capital Tripoli for the last seven weeks.

Security agents have refused to allow their families to visit them and have put the prisoners under “severe physical and psychological pressure” to force them to reveal the names of other converts. Many Christian converts from Islam now fear for their lives.

ICC said in a statement, “By torturing the four Christian converts and stifling religious freedom, Libya is once again violating basic principles of the international human rights law.”

Jonathan Racho, ICC’s Regional Manager for Africa, said, “We call upon Libyan officials to stop torturing the four Christians and release them from detention. Libya must respect the rights of its citizens to worship freely and not to be tortured.

"We particularly ask the Libyan leader and the current head of the African Union, Mr Muammar Gaddafi, to set the prisoners free and demonstrate his country’s commitment to respect human rights.”

ICC called on believers to pray for the release of the converts as well as for the comfort and strength of their families. The organisation also encouraged people to call the Libyan embassy and “politely ask” officials to free the Christians.