Eritrea Now Holds 16 Pastors, Nearly 900 Christians in Jail

(Compass) – Sixteen pastors are among nearly 900 Christians known to be jailed in prisons and military camps in Eritrea , according to a documented list compiled by evangelical sources in the tiny African nation. Only a handful of prisoners have been released — after signing a pledge to stop attending religious services. Meanwhile, the director of the Eritrean President’s office told Agence France Press on April 5 that arrested members of the banned Christian groups “are maybe held for five hours and then let off with a warning.” Eleven Protestant churches have applied for official registration since they were forcibly closed down three years ago.