Eritrea (MNN) ― Voice of the Martyrs Canada is reporting that a 37-year-old Eritrean Christian woman has died while in custody in Eritrea.
According to accounts from Compass Direct, the woman, Azieb Simon, succumbed to malaria while being held in the Wi'a Military Training Center. Already weakened by mistreatment she'd endured since her arrest in December, she contracted the disease a week prior to her death, and authorities reportedly refused to give her treatment. She was a member of the Kale-Hiwet Church in Assab.
Other Christians imprisoned in the centre are under constant pressure to recant their faith. Compass sources say eight other Christians being held at the Adi-Quala prison needed emergency medical care due to torture by military personnel at the camp.
Despite the continued targeted round-ups, the government continues to support its statement issued in May 2003 that "no groups or persons are persecuted in Eritrea for their beliefs or religion."
Yet, 32 additional Christians from Assab were also imprisoned and taken to Wi'a earlier this month. Close to 2,000 believers remain in Eritrean prisons where they face deplorable conditions. According to Release Eritrea, these numbers mean that approximately one in ten Eritrean evangelicals are presently being detained.
Simon was among the more than 2,000 believers who have been imprisoned for their faith. Pray that Eritrean Christians will remain faithful in the face of pressure to deny Christ.
