Christians in Sudan request our continued prayers for
Michael Yat (49) and Peter Yen Reith (36), two South Sudanese pastors on trial
in Khartoum who had their latest hearing today, 25th June.
At today's hearing the prosecution produced one person
who gave testimony, but brought no new evidence against the pastors. The next
hearing is due to be on 2nd July. At that hearing the judge will allow the two
pastors to speak and he can question them. Afterwards he will decide whether to
drop the case against them (if he believes there is no bases to the charges),
or whether to allow the case to continue.
Pastor Yat and Pastor Reith were detained in Khartoum by
the NISS on 14th December and 11th January respectively. They have been charged
with a range of criminal offences. These include crimes against the state which
are punishable by death, a life sentence or lesser detention and confiscation
of property.
On 4th June the pastors were transferred from a
low-security prison in Omdurman to the high-security Kober Prison, where they
are held in separate cells. Kober Prison administrators have denied the pastors
access to their families and lawyer. The defence lawyer has been informed that
the pastors were transferred because Western visitors took photographs of them,
and because an interview they gave was broadcast by a Christian media
organisation.
Please pray:
a. that Pastors Yat and Reith and their families will
know the Lord's peace and protection
b. that all charges against them will be
dropped
c. that church leaders in Sudan will know the Lord's wisdom in the face
of increasing pressures against them
d. that all officials involved will love
mercy, act justly, learn about Jesus and choose to follow Him
---------------------------------
Middle East Concern
URL for this prayer request: http://www.meconcern.org/index.php/en/prayer-requests/902-sudan-update-on-pastors-on-trial-25th-june
