Second Christian pastor arrested in Khartoum

Sudanese security forces have arrested a second Christian pastor in less than three weeks in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, Morning Star News reported.

Sudanese security forces have arrested a second Christian pastor in less than three weeks in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, Morning Star News reported.

The news organization which reports on Christian affairs said that the National Security and Intelligence Services (NISS) arrested the Rev. David Yein Reith of the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church on 9 January as he returned to his home at the Gerif West Bible School in Khartoum from a prayer meeting.

Though of South Sudanese descent, Reith has always lived in Khartoum.

Reith received a phone call earlier that day from someone threatening to “arrest” his wife and 1-year-old son if he failed to go to his home immediately. “We will arrest your entire family should you fail to come home as soon as possible,” the caller reportedly told the pastor.

The pastor’s wife has repeatedly asked NISS officials under what charge he is being held without an answer, she said. “We are still interrogating him; he is in custody,” one NISS official told her.

Last month the Reverend Yat Michael, a visiting South Sudanese pastor from Juba, was arrested after Sunday worship. Reportedly he is still in custody.