Eleven Christians Arrested in Eritrea

(Compass) – Another spate of raids against evangelical Christians in Eritrea has been confirmed. On March 22, authorities from the National Security Office closed down the Semhare Graphics Printing Press, a private company in Asmara that publishes Christian literature. Demoze Afwerki, vice manager of the Housing and Commerce Bank of Eritrea and an active member of the Full Gospel Church, was arrested on March 18 and jailed at Wongel Mermera, where other evangelicals — including Full Gospel Church Pastor Kidane Weldou — are believed to be incarcerated. Both Weldou and Afwerki sit on the executive committee of Gideons International in Eritrea . Finally, police raided a private home in Assab on March 9 and arrested 10 members of the Kale Hiwot (Word of Life) Church while they worshipped together. The 10 remain jailed at the Assab police station with no official charges filed against them.