Sudan arrests Coptic priests for baptizing convert

JUBA, South Sudan — Sudanese authorities have arrested two priests of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Sudan and accused them of baptizing a convert from Islam, sources said.

Sudanese security forces on Dec. 16 arrested Markus Anthony, a Sudanese citizen of Egyptian origin based in El-Haj Yousif in northern Khartoum, and Sarbion Hussein of the Moro tribe in the Nuba mountains.The priests are being detained in an unknown location, sources said. Officials have denied visits from their relatives. 

The arrest marks the first time in the 23 years of the Islamic government of President Omar al-Bashir that Coptic Orthodox Church leaders have been arrested.