The Eritrean authorities have released on bail 36 prisoners who had been in detention because of their faith.
Sources told the BBC that 14 of the released prisoners have been in detention for the past four years in the Dahilik island. Twenty-two others arrested at end of last month have also been freed on bail
The prisoners are all from Christian Evangelical and Pentecostal denominations.
In 2002 Eritrea introduced a new law that forbids all churches except for the Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran denominations.
Sunni Islam is also officially recognised.
The Eritrean government has been releasing people imprisoned because of their religious affiliation.
In September 2020, the Eritrean government released more than 20 prisoners who had been detained for years. In December, the authorities also released 28 members of the Jehovah’s Witness group after they had served long prison terms.
Many Christians still remain in detention and others are routinely arrested because their faith, according to religious freedom campaigners.
The Eritrean government accuses Pentecostal and Evangelical Christians of being instruments of foreign governments.
Eritrea, a secretive, highly militarised nation, has been ruled by Isaias Afwerki since its independence from Ethiopia in 1993, with no elections or parliament and a draft constitution that has never been implemented.
Latest Stories
-
I want to focus more on my education – Chidimma Adetshina quits pageantry
3 hours -
Priest replaced after Sabrina Carpenter shoots music video in his church
3 hours -
Duct-taped banana artwork sells for $6.2m in NYC
3 hours -
Arrest warrants issued for Netanyahu, Gallant and Hamas commander over alleged war crimes
3 hours -
Actors Jonathan Majors and Meagan Good are engaged
3 hours -
Expired rice saga: A ‘best before date’ can be extended – Food and Agriculture Engineer
3 hours -
Why I rejected Range Rover gift from a man – Tiwa Savage
3 hours -
KNUST Engineering College honours Telecel Ghana CEO at Alumni Excellence Awards
4 hours -
Postecoglou backs Bentancur appeal after ‘mistake’
4 hours -
#Manifesto debate: NDC to enact and pass National Climate Law – Prof Klutse
4 hours -
‘Everything a manager could wish for’ – Guardiola signs new deal
4 hours -
TEWU suspends strike after NLC directive, urges swift resolution of grievances
4 hours -
Netflix debuts Grain Media’s explosive film
5 hours -
‘Expired’ rice scandal: FDA is complicit; top officials must be fired – Ablakwa
5 hours -
#TheManifestoDebate: We’ll provide potable water, expand water distribution network – NDC
6 hours