Release International

Eritrean Christians' fears of a mass crackdown by officials appear to have been realised – with scores of arrests reported in the past three weeks.

More than 100 Christians have been detained since December 30 in raids on churches in or near the capital, Asmara, and in the town of Nakfa in eastern Eritrea. In one case, the entire congregation was taken in for questioning, according to religious rights charity Open Doors.

Eritrean Christians have been bracing themselves for a major crackdown for some time. Selam Kidane, director of Release Eritrea, predicted an escalation in persecution in her address to Release International's conference on November 6, 2010.

The Eritrean church has been further shaken by the news that yet another Christian has died in custody. Seble Hagos Mebrahtu, who was 27, died at the Sawa military camp on January 1 – apparently because she was refused medical treatment for malaria. She is also reported to have been tortured – after being found reading a Bible at her home. Her death brings to 16 the total number of Christians known to have died in custody since 2002.

The Eritrean authorities' ongoing campaign against Christians certainly appears to have escalated in recent weeks. Open Doors reports that the entire congregation of the Philadelphia Church in Asmara – all 41 members present – were arrested on December 31. They were taken to a police station and beaten. And a further 35 believers, including two elderly men in poor health, were arrested on January 9 in Nakfa, during a worship meeting at a private address. It is not yet known whether these believers have been released.

Meanwhile, on January 1, 27 Christians belonging to various churches near the Eritrean capital were taken into custody and are reportedly still being held by police.

(Source: Open Doors)

• Ask God to sustain and comfort the friends and family of Seble Hagos Mebrahtu, who died in custody earlier this month.
• Pray for the immediate release of all 103 Christians known to have been arrested since December 30. Pray that their time in custody will not be in vain but will sow seeds of faith among their fellow inmates and prison guards.

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