The trial of two South Sudanese pastors opened Tuesday in Khartoum, Sudan nearly five months after Security and Intelligence Services first detained them.
On 21 December last year, Reverend Yat Michael Ruot, a visiting South Sudanese pastor from Juba, was arrested after a Sunday worship service. Rev David Yein Reith of the Presbyterian Evangelical Church was arrested on 9 January as he returned to his home at the Gerif West Bible School in Khartoum from a prayer meeting.
Yein’s arrest may have been linked to a letter he delivered to the Office of Religious Affairs in Khartoum to inquire about the arrest of Yat Michael, according to his relatives.
The two religious leaders were facing charges of inciting religious sedition and sectarian and tribal hatred between denominations. They have also been charged with spying for outsiders and collecting and leaking information to the detriment of Sudanese national security.
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.
Related:
Second Christian pastor arrested in Khartoum (21 Jan.)