Christians in Sudan request further prayer for three imprisoned Christians who were sentenced at a court hearing on Sunday 29th January.
The court sentenced Petr Jašek to life in prison for espionage, to six months in prison for spreading rumours that undermine the authority of the state, to a fine of 100,000 Sudanese Pounds (approx. USD 16,000) for undertaking NGO work without a permit, and to one year in prison each (to be served consecutively) for inciting strife between communities, for entry in and photography of military areas and equipment, and illegal entry into Sudan.
Rev. Hassan Abduraheem Kodi Taour and Mr. Abdulmonem Abdumawla were each sentenced to ten years for abetting Jašek in the crime of espionage, and one year each for inciting strife between communities and spreading rumours that undermine the authority of the state (even though the legal maximum penalty for this last crime is six months in prison). All of these sentences are to be served consecutively.
The lawyers have indicated that they will appeal the sentences within 15 days.
Separately, in a court case against the threatened demolition of four Christian churches, a court ruled that the authorities must supply the lawyer for the churches with an official order for the demolition of the churches. To the lawyer’s dismay, the official decision does not just involve the four churches he was representing, but also applies to another 21 places of worship (most of them churches) that are scheduled for demolition.
MAY BE CIRCULATED TO GENERAL MAILING LISTS, OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS, AND QUOTED FROM FREELY IN REPORTS CITING “MIDDLE EAST CONCERN” AS THE SOURCE OF THE INFORMATION.
Prayer points
Christians in Sudan request prayer:
a. that the three convicted Christians will know the Lord’s strength and comfort during their ordeal
b. for wisdom for the lawyers defending them
c. for a fair appeal process, and that the three men will be acquitted soon
d. for an end to the increasing pressure against churches and other religious minorities in Sudan, and that Christians will know the peace of the Lord
e. that all officials involved will love mercy, act justly, learn about Jesus and choose to follow Him
