Eritrea (MNN) — Open
Doors reports the deaths of two Christians in Eritrea's infamous detention
centers.
Seble Hagos Mebrahtu, 27, died in the military training
center in Sawa on January 1. According
to reliable sources, Mebrahtu was apparently refused medical treatment for
malaria and died soon after.
42-year-old Mehari Gebreneguse Asgedom was also denied
medical treatment for complications from diabetes and injuries sustained from
torture. On January 16 at the
Mitire Military Confinement Center, he went home to be with his Savior.
As of November 2010, according to Open Doors, church leaders
in Eritrea estimated that there were around 1,500 believers in prison
specifically for their faith. There are
other reports that indicate up to 3,000 Christians being held, but information
can be extremely difficult to confirm.
These deaths come as the Eritrea governments' campaign
against Christians seems to have escalated. Several large groups of believers, members of the underground church,
have been arrested since the end of December.
In 2002, the government banned and criminalized dozens of
churches outside of Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran and Islamic traditions. As a result of this effort, Eritrea is listed
in the number 12 position on the 2011 World Watch List.
Families can sometimes wait years to hear any news of their
loved ones' welfare. Eritrean Christians have asked believers around the world to continue
praying for their country.
Pray that the newly arrested would remain firm in the faith. Pray that God would use their testimonies of
faithfulness to convict their persecutors of their need for salvation in
Christ. Click here for more details on how you can respond.
