Two South Sudanese pastors who are still in the custody of Sudan’s Security and Intelligence Services since nearly five months ago in Khartoum reportedly began a hunger strike on Tuesday in protest against their detention.
On 21 December last year, Reverend Yat Michael Ruot, a visiting South Sudanese pastor from Juba, was arrested after Sunday worship. Rev. David Yein Reith of the Presbyterian Evangelical Church was also arrested on 9 January as he returned to his home at the Gerif West Bible School in Khartoum from a prayer meeting.
His arrest may have been linked to a letter he delivered to the Office of Religious Affairs in Khartoum to inquire about the arrest of Pastor Yat Michael, according to his relatives.
Defence lawyers told the Khartoum-based Al Tariq electronic newspaper yesterday that the Sudanese security had opened a criminal case against the two religious leaders under articles 26, 50, 51, and 53, 62, and 125 of the Sudanese penal code.
The detained priests were referred to prosecution in March and that they are still waiting for trial up until now. The charge under article 50 of the Sudanese penal code (undermining the constitutional system) could result in the death penalty, according to the defence lawyers.
Photo: Rev. David Yein
Related:
Second Christian pastor arrested in Khartoum (21 Jan.)