It was reported in April that Eritrea is persecuting officially recognised religious bodies, as five Christians set to be ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church were arrested.
The Christian support organisation announced that security officials in the capital, Asmara, arrested Petros Yosief, Bemnet Tesfay, Aklilu Tesfay, Ermias Hadgu and Aron Mehretu. The arrests came shortly after the church announced they would be ordained for pastoral ministry.
Authorities in Eritrea, where an estimated 1,500 Christians are languishing in prison for their faith, are holding the would-be leaders at Police Station Number 2 in Asmara.
‘The arrests clearly show how even government-recognised churches are not free from government control,’ said an Open Doors source on condition of anonymity. ‘The Eritrean church faces challenges – due to the constant turnover of pastors due to arrest or threats, continuous and biblically consistent pastoral care for Christians is hampered.’
