Photo: Church in Chains
Earlier this month, it was reported that 23 women had been arrested at a prayer meeting in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, along with 12 others in the city of Assab. (To review a previously posted report, go to our country report, where there is also a link to a video-recorded interview addressing these recent incidents.) In a surprising move, all but one of the Christians arrested in Asmara were released on April 11th. Typically, believers who have been arrested in Eritrea are held without charges against them, and not permitted any legal representation, for extended periods of time --- sometimes many years.
While there is no information available on the well-being of those released, it has emerged that the one Christian still in custody from the recent Asmara arrest is male. On the other hand, the 12 believers arrested in Assab remain in custody, being held in a prison that is infamous for its harsh conditions.
It has also been reported that 14 formerly arrested Christian men have recently been released after four years' detainment in the Nakura prison. These men were part of a large group arrested in the summer of 2017 on direct orders from President Afewerki. As is typical in Eritrea, no reason was given for the releases and none of those released had ever faced trial.
It is believed that there are a total of 12 Christian men remaining imprisoned in Nakura to date. For more information on the persecution of Christians in Eritrea, and to review previously published reports, go to our country report.
Praise God for these answered prayers! Please now pray for the physical, mental and emotional healing of each one who has recently been released from the Asmara and Nakura prisons. Continue to prayerfully remember the many other remaining imprisoned Christians throughout Eritrea, as well as their concerned families. May the Lord intervene on their behalf, extending His grace and providing for their spiritual and physical needs, as they await their hopeful soon release.
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