Eritrean believers continue to face strong opposition as they seek to follow Christ. On October 5, The Voice of the Martyrs Canada reported that over 200 Christians had been arrested in early October in coordinated raids on churches, workplaces, homes and off the streets. (Click here for more). Release Eritrea reported on November 1 that several detainees had been reported released without charges. Of those who had been imprisoned in early October, all of the female prisoners have been released as well as at least two males. However, the fate of most those taken into custody in early October remains unknown.
In another development, Compass Direct reported on October 26 that the only Anglican priest in Eritrea had been ordered to leave the country. Rev. Nelson Fernandez, pastor of St. George’s Episcopal Church in Asmara, received a phone call from a government official on October 4 telling him that for reasons of "higher security" his visa had been reduced to only fifteen more days. The following day, his visa was reduced to only ten days. The priest told Compass Direct that he believed that the main reason for his expulsion was the rapid growth of the churches' Sunday evening congregation. This year an average of 250 predominantly young Eritreans have been attending these open worship services.
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