ERITREA: More Christian Youth Released from Prison

30 January 2024

Source: Church in Chains, The Voice of the Martyrs Canada

In April 2023, more than one hundred talented Christian young people, who are members of a musical group known as the Mahalians, were arrested after recording songs of praise that they had intended to share on YouTube. The Eritrean government deemed their recording session to be an illegal church gathering as the believers were not members of a government-approved church.

In September, it was announced that close to half of the detained youth had been released. Since then, more imprisoned believers have gained their freedom, generally in small groups at a time. As of late November, it was reported that around 20 young people were still being held in captivity, with hopes that they too would soon be released.

While there has been no change in governmental policy, sources report that hundreds of Christian prisoners have been released in the past few months and that fewer believers than normal were arrested during the same period. The total number of Christians currently incarcerated for their faith in Eritrea is estimated to be around 300.

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    Pray for them

    Praise God that many of these detained young people, as well as hundreds of other Christian prisoners, have been recently released from captivity.

    Pray for those who remain imprisoned, that they will soon be safely released and reunited with their families. Ask the Lord to comfort them and their families as they endure their prison sentence.

    Ask the Lord to also work deeply in the hearts of Eritrea’s governing officials so they will grant His people the freedom to worship Him and glorify His name. Ask that these political leaders realise the need to make Jesus their own personal Saviour and Lord by accepting His gift of eternal salvation.

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