Arrests in Eritrea

Arrests in EritreaNine weeks after Eritrean police arrested three prominent Protestant pastors, the government continues to detain them and refuses families and church members any direct access to the prisoners. The Rev. Haile Naizgi and Dr. Kiflu Gebremeske, leaders of the Full Gospel Church, have been imprisoned since May 23, and Pastor Tesfatsion Hagos of the Rema Evangelical Church since May 26. They have not been charged with any legal offense. Meanwhile, evangelical pastor Mengse Tweldemedhane and popular Christian singer Yonas Haile managed to escape from the Sawa Military Center and flee to Sudan in late June. Christian vocalist Helen Berhane remains under severe confinement in a shipping container since her arrest on May 13. Despite the Eritrean Constitution's guarantees of religious freedom, President Isaias Afewerki closed down the independent Protestant churches in May 2002, forbidding the 20,000 members of 12 banned denominations to worship even in their homes. Pray that Christians worldwide will protest this inhumane and illegal treatment of those who follow Jesus. Pray God will protect the two prisoners who were able to escape. Pray the Lord will have mercy on President Afewerki, bringing him to repentance and the joy of salvation.From the news flow at Intercessors Network

Jailed Pastors Moved Without Notice (Eritrea)Family and friends of three Eritrean pastors are “in distress and deep sadness” after discovering that their loved ones had been moved to an unknown location. According to a Compass Direct, the wives and friends were bringing food and clothing to the prison on August 24 when they were informed that the men were no longer there.Rev. Haile Naizgi and Dr. Kiflu Gebremeske, and Pastor Tesfatsion Hagos have been in prison since May without charges and have been refused any personal contact with their families. According to Eritrean sources, their disappearance may be good or bad news. In the past, prisoners have, at times, been taken to an unknown location and then released. Other times, they are moved and remain in custody.At least four hundred evangelical Christians remain in custody for their faith. In May 2002, the Eritrean government made all religions illegal other than Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran and Islam. More information on the situation in Eritrea is available through a VOM video news report, filmed on location in Eritrea. To view the report, go to the video section of our multimedia website at http://www.persecution.tv.Pray for safety and strength for these pastors and the hundreds of others in prison for their faith. Pray that the families will obtain information on the whereabouts of their loved ones.From the news flow at Intercessors Network