Church leaders jailed in Sudan could face death penalty

JUBA, South Sudan — Sudanese authorities have charged two South Sudanese pastors under laws that call for the death penalty, their attorney said.

National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) officials have charged Yat Michael and Peter Yein Reith with undermining the constitutional system and spying — offenses punishable by death or life imprisonment — and waging war against the state, which calls for the death sentence, said the pastors’ attorney.

They also are charged with inciting organized forces to complain and assaulting religious beliefs, which call for prison sentences, the attorney said.

“The charges are serious,” their attorney said. “However, we are doing everything possible to ensure their release. We hope to hear good news about their release in coming days.”

NISS is manned by hard-line Islamists who are given broad powers to arrest Christians, black Africans, South Sudanese and other people lowly regarded in the country that President Omar al-Bashir has pledged will be fully Arabic and Islamic. The charges appear to be based solely on the two pastors’ nationality, race and faith, sources said.

Michael was arrested Dec. 21, 2014, after visiting a church service in Khartoum, South Sudan. Reith was arrested Jan. 11 after submitting a letter from leaders of their denomination, the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SSPEC), inquiring about the whereabouts of Michael.

Their location was unknown for months, violating international human rights agreements, but April 30 they were transferred from Khartoum’s downtown police station to a NISS detention center in Khartoum. 

NISS officials have demanded $12,000 from SSPEC secretary general Philip Akway Obang for the release of the pastors.

Local church leaders expressed their outrage at the attempt to buy the pastors’ freedom, saying they fear NISS would arrest other Christians and make the same demand in exchange for dropping charges.

(MS)