Priest released after missing Christian’s return

KHARTOUM, Sudan — An Episcopal priest and five other people arrested in the Sudanese capital over the disappearance of a Muslim convert to Christianity were released in May after the missing woman reported herself to police. Shiraz Feteh Rahman Bellula (previously identified as Shirakh Abdallah) had gone into hiding in March to escape physical abuse from her family for converting to Christianity, a Catholic schoolteacher said. Bellula, 23, turned herself in to Khartoum police May 16, prompting the release of Elia Komondan and Catholic schoolteacher Anthony Gabriel, as well as four others over the following two days. According to one Christian source who requested anonymity, Bellula’s family was forced to sign a statement that they would not mistreat her. “But the document they were made to sign will not grant her safety,” the Christian said.