Three More Evangelical Christians Arrested in Eritrea

Three more evangelical Christians have been detained in Eritrea, in the most recent arrest by the country designated last year by the U.S. State Department as a 'Country of Particular Concern.'

By Kenneth Chan, Friday, January 21, 2005

Three more evangelical Christians have been detained in Eritrea, in the most recent arrest by the country designated last year by the U.S. State Department as a 'Country of Particular Concern.'

As reported today by the Voice of the Martyrs, Pastor Kidane Gebremeskel, youth pastor Abraham Belay and Fanieal Tesfa Mariam of the Full Gospel Church in Eritrea were detained by Eritrean authorities this morning. Their whereabouts are unknown.

Although further details have not yet been made known due, the persecution watchdog group reported that it would continue to monitor the situation and release more details as they become available.

“Please remember to pray for these believers and their families during this time,” VOM stated.

News of today’s arrests comes three weeks after the Dec. 31 arrest of sixty members of the Rema Charismatic Church in the Eritrean capital of Asmara as they celebrated the New Year in the home of the church’s pastor. Compass News reported that though the pastor’s wife was later released, the other believers are now detained in the Mai-Serwa military camp just north of Asmara.

According to VOM, there are now over 550 known Christians in detention in Eritrea because of their Christian activities.