Eritrea Releases 70 Jailed Christians

Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports that Eritrea has released 70 Christians that they jailed.

Sixty-four of the Christians had no charges and the last six were jailed for worshipping in public. “On 1 February, 21 female and 43 male prisoners were released from Mai Serwa and Adi Abeito prisons, close to the capital city, Asmara.  The prisoners had been held without charge or trial for periods of between two and 12 years.

On 27 January, six female prisoners who were detained in September 2020 in Dekemhare, south-east of Asmara, were also released. The women were arrested after worshipping in public as they were walking down a street, an event which was caught on camera and circulated via social media.”

Though the move is reportedly welcomed, Christian Solidarity Worldwide believes it could possibly be a distraction to get the international community off of the war waged on the Tigray region. Tigray declared independence from Ethiopia and has been fighting for their right to exist ever since. However, they are not just fighting against their neighboring country of Ethiopia. Eritrea and Somalia have also partnered with Ethiopia in addition to the ethnic Amhara army.

Christian Headlines has previously reported that millions are in need of aid due to the war’s ravaging of Ethiopia and Tigray. Additionally, more than 700 Christians were attacked in a church as they were trying to hide from the violence in the region. The residents were reportedly brought out and killed.