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Asmara and Massawa, EritreaEritrean security police authorities released 35 evangelical Christians in the Red Sea port city of Massawa on February 16 after holding them in custody for six weeks at a local police station, according to a February 21 Compass Direct report. All the jailed Christians were members of the government-banned Faith Church of Christ. The 35 men and women were worshipping in a private home on January 6 when security officials raided the house and arrested them. The group was denied visitation rights while in police custody and official charges were never filed against them.

In another incident, 10 members of the Full Gospel Church who had been incarcerated for five years in Assab's notorious military prison were released on bail approximately two weeks ago. The seven men and three women had been transferred from Assab to the Adi-Abeyto prison, on the outskirts of Asmara, six months ago.

Praise God for the release of these Christians from prison. Ask God to strengthen the Christians in Eritrea as they continue to serve Him under constant pressure and persecution (Ephesians 6:18-20).

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Eritrea, go to the Eritrea Country Report.

Country Information

Designation
Persecuted

Population
6,147,398 (July 2021 est.)

Ethnicity (%)
Tigrinya (50), Tigre (30), Saho (4), Afar (4) Kunama (4), Bilen (3), other (5)

Religion (%)
Islam (47.4), Christianity (48.8), other (3.8)

Leader
President Isaias Afworki (1993)

Government type
Presidential republic

Legal system
Mixed legal system of civil, customary, and Islamic religious law

Sources: CIA World Factbook, Operation World

Pray for Eritrea

Ask the Lord to provide imprisoned Eritrean believers a means of escape and a place of safe refuge. Pray for Him to also work deeply in the hearts of the country's governing officials so they will grant His people the freedom to worship Him and glorify His matchless name. Mindful of their own human frailties, may these political leaders realize the need to make Jesus their own personal Saviour and Lord by accepting His gift of eternal salvation.

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Eritrea News

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