The defense lawyer of the two South Sudanese pastors who were freed last week after months in detention in Khartoum has downplayed the decision made by airport authorities to prevent them from leaving the country on Thursday.
Rev. Yat Michael and Rev. Peter Yien on Thursday morning were prohibited from leaving Khartoum by authorities at Khartoum airport, a relative told Radio Tamazuj, saying, “We are working now with their lawyer and your prayers are very needed.”
Defense lawyer Ahmed Sabair described the decision of the authorities to prevent them from traveling as legal, citing a 15-day appeal deadline which has not yet expired. According to the lawyer, it will take a few days for the pastors to be able to leave Sudan.
“It will take some few days for the pastors to leave the country but we are working on procedures to let them travel,” one of the lawyers said.
However, Sabair criticized some of the court proceedings against the pastors including the charge under article 65 of the penal code.
Photo: Rev. Yat Michael