Four Christians arrested in Laos in June have been freed without charge after six weeks in detention, according to Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

The four – two of them Thai citizens – were held in Luang Namtha province after “explaining the Bible” to a Laos man in the home of a local Christian.

Police found CDs and a picture book of Bible stories in their bags, according to the US Christian news agency Worthy News.

Following police investigations they were freed after paying a small fine.

“We are concerned that their arrest is part of a pattern of religious repression in many parts of the country,” CSW Executive Director Mervyn Thomas said in a statement on Friday.