Release International

Ten Christians from the same church are in custody after security officials raided the Asmara home of prominent pastor Tewelde Hailom.

Officers raided the home of Pastor Tewelde, founding elder of the Full Gospel Church in Asmara, on October 15, according to Mission Network News. During the raid, they arrested Pastor Tewelde's assistant Pastor Samuiel Oqba, a woman named Senait Tekle and a man named Gebreberhane Kifle.

Two days later, seven other Christians from the Full Gospel Church were taken into custody – a woman named as Besrat Gebray and six men whose names are not yet known, according to a report by religious rights charity Open Doors Switzerland.

Pastor Tewelde, who is suffering from an ulcer, was not taken into custody, apparently because of his frail health, but he remains under house arrest, with guards posted outside his home. It is not known where the ten Christians are being held.

(Sources: Mission Network News, Open Doors Switzerland, The Voice of the Martyrs Canada)

• Pray for the immediate release of the ten Full Gospel Church members arrested in Asmara last month.
• Ask God to strengthen and heal Pastor Tewelde, who is under house arrest.

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