Eritrean 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.