ERITREA: Christians Imprisoned for 20 Years Without Charge

Source: VOMC
Sources: Church in Chains, Christian Daily

Photos: Christian Solidarity Worldwide / Human Rights Concern Eritrea / Release Eritrea

On May 23rd, 2004, Eritrean authorities arrested two pastors from the Full Gospel Church in Eritrea: Dr. Kiflu Gebremeskel and Pastor Haile Nayzgi. The arrests were made in response to a government ban instituted in 2002 against all but four of the country's religious communities. Throughout 2004, arrests continued against pastors of the banned organization, which consisted of between 120 and 150 home church congregations at the time. Pastor Meron Gebreselasie was arrested in June 2004. Then in November of that year, Dr. Futsum Gebrenegus, Dr. Tekleab Mengisteab and Rev. Gebremedhin Gebregiorgis were also detained.

All six church leaders remain in prison without trial 20 years later. They have had no contact with their loved ones nor anyone else outside of the prison throughout the duration of that time. Since there has been no legal process, the imprisoned believers are being held without official cause and with no indication of how long they may be detained.

A colleague who was also influential in starting the Full Gospel Church, Rev. Ghirmay Araya, recently passed away while in custody (read more). Estimates concerning the number of believers currently being detained without charge in Eritrea vary from 350 to as many as 1,000. Among those known to be in custody is the son of Rev. Ghirmay.
To review other reports on the imprisonment of Christians in Eritrea, along with ways that you can pray for your persecuted Eritrean family in Christ, visit our country report.

Ask God to rescue all those currently being held in Eritrean prisons because of their faith in Christ. 

As they continue to wait for this anticipated outcome, pray that He will minister His peace, hope, and unfailing comfort in the lives of these imprisoned believers and their long-suffering families. 

May those of our dear Eritrean Christian brothers and sisters who are enduring inhumane conditions and abuses while in detainment tangibly experience the supernatural strength, protection and endurance of our Heavenly Father, knowing that He promises to never leave nor forsake His children (Hebrews 13:5).