The move was welcomed in international circles. But Sudanese protestors don’t see this as a positive sign. They want the military out of government affairs.

Sudanese women

Petr Jasek with The Voice of the Martyrs Canada says Older Sudanese, who have seen many political cycles, don’t expect much change. “Maybe the younger people are more optimistic. When you look at the people that are taking part of the demonstrations, they’re mostly young people. And also there’s a lot of women demonstrating. The women are so courageous.”

Jasek spent over a year in a Sudanese prison for helping underground Christians. He talks about the courage of Sudanese women he saw then. “When we were in the court building, we could hear the singing of Sudanese women who were actually so courageous that they were not afraid of the secret police taking pictures of them. Maybe later on they were arresting them, we don’t know.”

Jasek says the man in charge of the secret police still holds his position, even after the removal of former dictator Omar al-Bashir.

Growth of the Sudanese Church

Despite the threat of secret police, Jasek says the Sudanese church is growing. Christians continue reaching out to Muslim neighbors with the love and hope of Jesus.

When Muslims become Christians, Jasek says churches have plans to keep them safe. “They have prepared a plan for them. This includes how they should behave when their face is revealed, or how to escape from their houses if they can’t stay with their families.”

Ask God to protect these Christians.

The header photo shows demonstrations against the October 2021 military coup in Sudan. (Photo courtesy of Osama Eid, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons)

The world celebrated Sudan’s move toward change following Bashir’s ouster in 2019. More about that here. However, “very little has changed in Sudan because you still have the same people in the various (government) significant positions; also with the Sudanese secret police,” Petr Jasek with The Voice of the Martyrs International explains.

“People who are sharing the Gospel with Muslims [are] aware of this danger, even now.”

Listen to the whole conversation between Jasek and VOM Canada’s Greg Musselman.

State of the Church

In 2017, Jasek spent more than a year in a Sudanese prison for helping underground believers. See our coverage here. He still works closely with Sudanese Christians today and says the collective “big C” Church is growing.

“I have visited several churches in Sudan, and I know they have missionary activities for the Muslims. It is a very well prepared program covering not only the Gospel but also training [for] believers from the Muslim background,” Jasek says.

“Churches are aware that their mission field is among the Muslims, and they’re actively preparing church members for this activity.”

These believers know Sudan’s secret police are hunting for them, but that knowledge doesn’t hinder their mission. Interestingly enough, Jasek adds, sharing Christ with Sudanese who hold animist beliefs does not put believers at risk.

“If they would share the Gospel with those (animists), that’s considered ‘Okay’ for the secret police,” Jasek says.

“The biggest danger is always for those who are sharing the Gospel with Muslims.”

Find your place in the story

Please add Sudanese believers to your prayer list. Use the prompts listed alongside this article to guide your intercession, or check out this free resource from our sister ministry, Prayercast.

“Let’s pray especially for those arrested and interrogated by the police, that they would stay firm and not reveal anything that could be dangerous for their brothers and sisters from the Muslim background,” Jasek suggests.

“The torture these secret police apply during the interrogation can be really severe.”

Pray for Christian women who’ve been arrested and imprisoned for Gospel work. See our coverage of Meriam Ibrahim’s case as an example.

“I’ve seen people in the Sudanese prison who have been sentenced to death. Those were always chained on their legs, and they could barely walk. I could vividly imagine what it had to be [like] for Meriam when she had to give birth, with having the chained legs, and that just shows the brutality of the regime in Sudan,” Jasek says.

“Quite often, what Christian women in prison experience is extremely awful because they (police) even rape them.”

Header image is representative, depicting a Sudanese woman participating in the 2019 protests calling for President Omer Al Bashir and his government to resign. The woman has written “Just Fall “ on her arm, reflecting the demonstrators’ calls, and the photo was taken in Khartoum during a sit-in protest. (Wikimedia Commons)

“Coming off of the [State Sponsor of Terrorism] list is going to open up economic development that is very significant for Sudan and [will] help alleviate some of the challenges they’re facing with inflation; with just getting enough bread for people to eat,” Nettleton says.

In mid-December, U.S. leaders removed Sudan’s terrorism designation. The move led to conversations about much-needed debt relief between Sudan’s interim government and the International Monetary Fund.

Then, before heading into a holiday break, U.S. legislators made good on their promise to Sudan by restoring sovereign immunity. This measure, according to the Associated Press:

“…would effectively stop future compensation claims from being filed against it in U.S. courts. It did not grant Sudan immunity from being sued by the 9/11 victims’ families over the country’s alleged role in the attacks…”

Hope on the horizon

After decades of darkness, Sudanese Christians finally have reason to hope. “If you look across the continent of Africa, when it comes to persecution of Christians, Sudan is the one bright spot,” Nettleton says.

It’s a monumental change given Sudan’s history. This North African nation was one of the world’s top 10 persecutors of Christians during Omar al-Bashir’s 30-year reign. Now that he’s gone, believers have a brief window of religious freedom until a new government comes in.

“[Sudan] is a country where the majority of people are Muslims, and they could vote for a Muslim party that would limit religious freedom. But it’s also fair to say none of this is set in stone,” Nettleton notes.

“A lot can happen between now and two years from now when those elections are scheduled.”

(Graphic courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs USA)

The next general elections are slated for late 2022. Until then, Sudan will continue operating under a transitional council. More about that here.

Don’t stop praying

Praise God for this window of opportunity! See our past coverage of Sudan to learn what Christians are doing to make His name known. Send Bibles and physical aid to Sudanese Christians through VOM USA.

Above all else, keep praying for Sudan. We’ve listed prompts alongside this article to guide your intercession, and you can find more prayer needs here.

“Our prayers make a difference. What we’re seeing today [in Sudan] might be the answer to some of those prayers that were prayed during times of intense persecution,” Nettleton says, referring to prayer movements for persecuted Christians like Meriam Ibrahim and Petr Jasek.

“The Church right now is going forward. They see this as an open window to advance the Gospel. Let’s pray for fruit for their work; let’s pray for God’s protection over them.”

Header image courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs USA.

Petr Jasek, pardoned in Sudan (Photo courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs)

On Thursday, God answered that prayer.  Middle East Concern’s Miles Windsor shares, “The two men who were remaining in prison have been released with a presidential pardon.  That’s Rev. Taour and Mr. Abdumawla.”

Here’s the timeline:

• Rev. Hassan Abduraheem Kodi Taour and Mr. Abdulmonem Abdumawla were arrested in December 2015, along with Rev. Kuwa Shamal Abazmam Kurri and Mr. Jasek, a Czech national.  All four were charged with “espionage”, “inciting strife between communities”, and several other offences.
• On January 2nd, 2017 Rev. Shamal was acquitted of all charges.
• On January 29th, 2017 the court sentenced Mr. Jasek to life imprisonment for espionage, six months’ imprisonment for spreading rumors undermining the authority of the state, a fine of 100,000 Sudanese Pounds (approximately $16,000 USD) for undertaking NGO work without a permit, and to one year’s imprisonment for each of the following charges (sentences to be served consecutively): inciting strife between communities; entry into and taking photos of military areas and equipment; and illegal entry into Sudan.  However, he received a presidential pardon and left Sudan on February 26th.
• On January 29th, 2017 Rev. Hassan Abduraheem Kodi Taour and Abdulmonem Abdumawla were each sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment for abetting Mr. Jasek in the crime of espionage, and to one year’s imprisonment each for inciting strife between communities and spreading rumors undermining the authority of the state (even though the legal maximum penalty for this last crime is six months’ imprisonment).  All of these sentences were to be served consecutively.  Since that date, they have been serving their sentences in prison while their lawyers appealed against the verdict.

Instead, the two men were released from prison Thursday afternoon (local time in Sudan) after receiving a presidential pardon.  While MEC and many other partners are thrilled with the results, Windsor says it seems the logical conclusion to this saga.

(Photo courtesy of Middle East Concern)

“He (Jasek) was the key defendant in that case.  The charges against the others were mostly in relation to him and the charges against him.  Given that he received a presidential pardon several months ago, it didn’t make sense that they (Taour and Abdumawla) were continuing to be held.”

When asked what prompted the pardons, Windsor could only speculate.  The situation is so new that the details are still unfolding.  However, international pressure from the Body of Christ played a critical role.  Other pressure may have also been pivotal in this case.

“There’s an interesting situation ongoing which is related to the sanctions on Sudan from the United States.  There’s consideration about whether those sanctions should be lifted permanently or whether some of them should be put back in place.  Now, the reality is that in Sudan, the sanctions work.  They are looking to develop better relations with the rest of the international community.”

The situation is cause for celebration, but it’s also a time to look at what caused it to begin with.  Windsor notes, “The reality is, this is just one situation among many that Christians are facing in Sudan.”

For example, he cites this case: “There’s a demolition order against 27 churches, and to my knowledge, that is still an issue and it’s still ongoing.  We can continue to pray for that situation, that God would be intervening in that, and also we can be raising awareness of some of these other situations believers are facing.”

Then, on April 26th, police and an armed mob occupied part of the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SPEC) compound in Omdurman which includes houses, offices, and school premises.  Ongoing attempts to seize church property in Omdurman led to the fatal stabbing of a church elder on April 3rd.

(Map courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs)

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom has designated Sudan a Country of Particular Concern since 1999.  Humanitarian and Religious Rights watchdog groups believe the Sudanese government is trying to eliminate all Christian villages, churches, hospitals, and schools in an effort to Islamize the country.

In response, Windsor says, “We want to see a situation in Sudan where people are allowed to worship God freely and at present, in spite of the good news that we’ve had just now, that’s not currently the case.”

Aside from the advocacy he suggests, he also urges prayer.  “Making sure that these human rights issues are dealt with before sanctions are lifted is very important, so prayer around that.  If we can be encouraging our representatives to consider these things as well, I think that would be very important.”

Pray that Christians throughout Sudan will continue to entrust themselves to Christ and preach the Gospel boldly.  Pray also that peace, justice, and religious freedom may be firmly established.

([L] VOM’s Todd Nettleton, [R] Petr Jasek. Photo courtesy of VOM USA)

Nettleton recounts, “In that dream, he saw a prison door close on him.  He understood that ‘this door has closed.  I am in prison in this dream.’  In the dream, he understood that his daughter was graduated from medical school while he was in prison.”

Unsettling as it was, Jasek continued to serve persecuted Christians as a field leader with VOM, traveling regularly into the world’s most hostile areas and restricted nations.

He eventually came alongside some Sudanese believers as they helped a young man injured during a protest in Sudan.  Then, “He was arrested in December of 2015, was interrogated for a number of hours, and then they took him to a prison, owned and operated by the Sudanese Intelligence Service.  They put him in a cell with six other men, closed the door, and he recognized the door.  It was the same door that he had seen in his dream two and a half years before.”

(Photo courtesy of VOM USA)

He was charged with state crimes that included “espionage” and “waging war against the state”.  Three Sudanese men, Rev. Kuwa Shamaal, Rev. Hassan Abduraheem, and Mr. Abdulmonem Abdumawla, also were arrested.  Petr received a “life sentence”, which in the Sudanese system amounted to 20 years for espionage and four years for additional charges.  Rev. Shamaal was released on grounds of insufficient evidence.  Rev. Abduraheem and Mr. Abdumawla remain behind bars, each serving a 12-year sentence.

Jasek was moved to five different prisons over his 445 days, each one more dangerous than the last.  His cell mates included ISIS fighters who were hostile to his Christian faith.  They had spent weeks bullying him, beating him, and mocking him.  Eventually, his cellmates made him face the toilet sink during their prayers.  Jasek was discouraged, isolated, and afraid.  It became hard to pray amid the constant chanting of the Quran in his cell.

Yet, two verses stuck in his head:

Ephesians 3:20-21  “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.”

Philippians 4:7  “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

At one point, he recounted a passage the Holy Spirit put in his mind, and rather than one about setting captives free, it was about the holiness of God.

Revelation 4:8  “And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!'”

He thought, “If these four creatures can say this day and night forever, if I just repeat this, one day, one week, one month, one year, or maybe several years, I might be able to do what these creatures do: worship God.”  That became his celebration of discipline, and Jasek focused on God’s glory and holiness.  What he soon discovered was peace and joy that comforted him through the darkest time he spent in the unknown of Sudan’s prison cell.

When he turned his attention to God and to others, praying for them, it changed his perspective.  It also kicked the spiritual warfare up a notch.  Nettleton says the ISIS fighters Jasek shared a cell with were incensed.  “In fact, they threatened to kill him.  God protected him from that.”

The Sudanese Church, too, was bolder.  In an earlier interview, Nettleton told us that Christians came from Khartoum, the Nuba Mountains, and elsewhere in Sudan came to the courthouse during their trials.  As police tried to prevent them from approaching the building, the believers sang Christian songs.

In the days since his release, as Jasek shares his story, he continues to encourage other Christians around the world, adds Nettleton.  “He has experienced God’s special, incredible faithfulness and closeness.  He just is more excited than ever to serve the Lord and to do things that build the kingdom of God.”  Just as it was in the early Church, there is the paradox of persecution.  What should shut down and silence a minority group instead makes it stronger.

Jasek hasn’t forgotten the two Sudanese men still behind bars.  Unfortunately, they don’t have a powerful government to advocate on their behalf.  Put plainly, Nettleton says, “The Sudanese government is basically a law unto themselves.  They can do whatever they want.  There are not the powerful international forces drawing attention to their case, asking the Sudanese government to release them.  We, as the Body of Christ, need to be that.  We need to be banging the drum.  We need to make sure this case is not forgotten.”

(Photo courtesy of VOM)

If you prayed for Jasek’s release, Nettleton asks that you continue to pray for Rev. Abduraheem and Mr. Abdumawla, as well.  “One of the things that we need to commit to is to continue to bang the drum for their release.  Petr was pardoned by Sudanese president Omar Al Bashir.  Those charges don’t exist anymore.  These two men are in prison for aiding and abetting him (Petr Jasek), on this activity that now has been pardoned.  So, in theory, they aided and abetted something that we now say legally didn’t happen, so they should go home, too.”

(Click here to listen to part two of the VOM interview with Petr Jasek.)

Todd Nettleton of The Voice of the Martyrs USA says, “They’re in jail for allegedly helping a spy. Well, we know that Petr was not a spy. He was an aid worker, he was a VOM worker.”

So if the crimes they’re supposed to have helped with have been pardoned, why aren’t they being set free as well? Judging by how the entire case has gone, it’s not really a surprise.

In Spain, a November gathering in support of the prisoners in Sudan. (Photo courtesy of HazteOir.org via flickr: https://flic.kr/p/AKgA37)

Nettleton says, “The thing for us to understand is this case was never based on evidence. It was never based on facts or what really happened. It was based on the Sudanese government wanting to make a point to the international community, wanting to make a point particularly to Mr. Jasek, ‘Hey, we can lock you up, we can put you in jail.’”

In addition, these men do not have a foreign country backing them. They aren’t connected to a big ministry. They have no international recognition. The push for their freedom is not globally intense.

That’s why Nettleton says, “We need to be their voice, we need to speak out, we need to be the power of a government to say, ‘Hey, let these guys go too, just as you let Mr. Jasek go.’”

If you recall, 2017 began with the freedom of the fourth man connected to the case, Rev. Kuwa Shamal Abazmam Kurri. As we mentioned earlier this week, there is some hope that the Sudanese government will want to release the final two men as a sign of good behavior.

(Photo courtesy of the World Watch Monitor)

As the Obama administration came to a close, economic sanctions on the country were temporarily lifted. The sanctions will be reassessed this summer, so it makes sense that Sudan will want to present itself as a changed nation. Nettleton has hope that overall, persecution against Christians will lessen.

But even if this does not happen, he expects followers of Christ in Sudan will stand strong as they have in the past: “When the government has come against them, they have said, ‘Nope, we’re just going to keep following Jesus Christ. Yes, we understand some of us are going to suffer for that. Some of us are going to go to prison for that. In fact, some of us may be killed for that. But, Jesus is worth it, and we’re going to keep following him.’”

One big indicator of that is the support Christians showed during this drawn-out court case. “There have been Christians who have boldly attended the trial hearings. There have been groups of Christians who have sang outside the courthouse.”

As Nettleton says, this should be encouraging for believers all over the world. And also, it’s a call for prayer.

“We need to be in prayer for brothers and sisters who are facing challenges for their faith. We’re the Body of Christ. We’re supposed to lift up the parts of the Body that are suffering.”

Ask God to sustain these two men, and all Christians in Sudan. Pray for their perseverance and strength of witness to God’s love.

In addition, you can contact your representatives to make sure our government pushes for freedom for these two men. Click here for more information.

(Photo courtesy of The Voice of the Martyrs USA)

To recap: According to VOM, Jasek was convicted of spying, working as part of an NGO without permit, and more. He was given a life sentence, which in Sudan is 20 years or more. The two men alongside Jasek in this story were also sentenced to several years in prison under the conviction of aiding Jasek in his alleged espionage. Their names are Pastor Hassan Abduraheem and Abdulmonem Abdumawla.

What now?

The two Sudanese men have not been released, so we must keep praying and petitioning for them to be returned to their families.

“I believe that’s what Petr will want, too, when he begins to speak publicly,” Nettleton says.

He explains that while these two men do not have a European country advocating on their behalf like Jasek, there is hope. The United States, for instance, has influence here.

“In the last week of the Obama administration, economic sanctions against Sudan were lifted. But at the time they were lifted, it was established that they would be reevaluated in six months, meaning they would be reevaluated under the Trump administration — under the new State Department administration,” Nettleton explains.

Rev. Hassan Abduraheem (Photo courtesy of The Voice of the Martyrs USA)

He believes Sudan will want to make a good impression on the United States. When summer comes and the sanctions are reassessed, the State Department will have the ability to activate sanctions again, extend the waiting period, or cut them altogether. Sudan’s decision on these men could influence that decision. Consider sending a letter to your government official, or a letter to encourage these men. Click here for more information.

But along with petitioning, there are two very important things you can do.

Prayer and Praise

“Petr has served Voice of the Martyrs as our Africa Regional Director. We have grieved every day for the last 445 days while he’s been in prison. Our staff has been in constant contact with his family, encouraging them. And we just want to say, ‘Thank you, God!’ God answered our prayers. One of the things that Petr said from the very early days that he was in prison, he said, ‘God holds the key to my cell.’”

So, Nettleton encourages us to pray this way:

“As we pray, I think certainly foremost in our mind is the two men who are still in prison. We want to pray for them, we want to pray for their families, and pray for their release. We want God to use that key and open their prison cell as well.”

Pray also for Jasek and his adjustment back to civilian life. Ask God to allow his health evaluations to come back normal. Pray that this story will influence the spread of the Gospel.

But most of all, Nettleton says, praise the Lord!

(Petre Jasek, Sudan/Photo courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs)

On January 29th, according to Middle East Concern, a Sudanese court sentenced the Czechoslovakian aid worker to life in prison for espionage, six months in prison for spreading rumors that undermine the authority of the state, a fine of 100,000 Sudanese Pounds (approximately USD $16,000) for undertaking NGO work without a permit; and one year in prison each for inciting strife between communities, for entry in and photography of military areas and equipment, and illegal entry into Sudan.

At the same time, Rev. Hassan Abduraheem Kodi Taour and Mr. Abdulmonem Abdumawla were each sentenced to ten years for abetting Jašek in the crime of espionage, and one year each for inciting strife between communities and spreading rumors that undermine the authority of the state (even though the legal maximum penalty for this last crime is six months in prison).

It was an unexpected response, given the release of a fourth Christian leader who, earlier in the month, was facing the same charges.  The decision has caused uproar.  The European Parliament called for the unconditional release of the men and the Czech Foreign Ministry has condemned the verdict and is expected to intervene.

(Photo courtesy of Middle East Concern)

Miles Windsor is the Advocacy and Development Director at Middle East Concern.  Of the appeal process, he says, “I think there’s been a delay in that appeal to take into consideration some other sensitive conversations I believe are happening.  We’re reasonably optimistic, especially for Petr.  I think there’s reason to be hopeful, although we need to keep praying for them, obviously.”

This is a case that has created some sensitivity.  Windsor explains, “There is a tension between the government and the national Intelligence and Security Services.  The national Intelligence and Security Services are far more pro-active in seeking to persecute Christians and to shut down churches.  The government, obviously, is keen to improve its relations with the international community, I believe.  Certainly these cases embarrass the government, especially when there’s so much international attention.”

(Screen capture courtesy of Prayercast/Sudan)

The Sudanese government is led by Omar Al Bashir.  His government has a history of severe persecution of ethnic and religious minorities that includes Christians.  That only intensified following the separation of South Sudan, when he vowed to replace the current constitution with one much closer to Islamic Sharia law.  As a result, he’s been indicted for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and genocide by the International Criminal Court.

Given the bent of the government, places of worship and churches are under extreme scrutiny in Khartoum.  It doesn’t stop with strict regulations, though.

“Another issue we’re aware of is plans to shut down about 25 churches.  There have been developments in that regard, and that’s another legal situation which is likely to develop soon.”  In separate cases in Khartoum, a judge recently ruled that four churches facing demolition orders should be represented by a lawyer, chosen not by the churches, but by the Sudanese authorities.  The same applies to a further 21 churches facing the threat of demolition.

Is it true religious persecution, or are these orders seen as an effort to bring illegal gatherings in line?  Windsor says, “They’re not specifically saying they’re targeting churches, but that’s without a shadow of a doubt.  As I say, there are 25 churches that currently have demolition orders against them.”

He goes on to say there have been a number of cases in which the government has intervened in church government.  However, that’s so they can “…sell off bits and pieces of land.  There’s a particular case of a church which the government has taken a ‘salami slicing’ approach to taking land and demolishing parts of the church compound.

(Sudan map courtesy of Wikipedia/CC)

“It’s a steady process of removing Christianity from the country, essentially.”

While thousands have fled Sudan and taken refuge in neighboring countries, Windsor confirms there is a remnant Church.  “A great many are able to stay and continue their work, and are determined to be promoting the Gospel there and continuing in their work.”

Considering the situation facing Jasek, Rev. Hassan Abduraheem Kodi Taour and Mr. Abdulmonem Abdumawla, and the threats to other churches, the term ‘treacherous’ could be use to describe the conditions believers face daily in Sudan.  What can be done?  Windsor says we can advocate.  Share these stories.  Make other Christians aware of what’s happening in other countries.

Once you start sharing the story, share the burden.  “It should be said that the prayers of believers are so hugely appreciated and felt by the people in the situation.  They are asking for continued prayer to stand firm, to continue to serve, and to reflect the Gospel in their lives.”

(Sudan photo Christians, Rev. Hassan Abduraheem Kodi Taour; Abdulmonem Abdumawla, courtesy Middle East Concern)

Todd Nettleton, a spokesman with The Voice of the Martyrs, USA, explains, “We had hoped that Mr. Jasek, the Czech aid worker; and the two Sudanese brothers would be released.  Instead, they were all sentenced to very long prison sentences and found guilty of the crimes they were accused of.”

Middle East Concern added these details:

The court sentenced Petr Jašek to life in prison (a 20+ year sentence) for espionage, to six months in prison for spreading rumors that undermine the authority of the state, to a fine of 100,000 Sudanese Pounds (approx. USD 16,000) for undertaking NGO work without a permit, and to one year in prison each (to be served consecutively) for inciting strife between communities, for entry in and photography of military areas and equipment, and illegal entry into Sudan.

(Photo of Petr Jasek, courtesy VOM)

Jasek was detained two years ago, along with three Sudanese men after helping finance the medical treatment of a student from Darfur who was burnt during a rally.

Hopes were high going into the day because of a decision from January 2nd to release Rev. Kuwa Shamal Abazmam Kurri.  A judge ruled there was a lack of evidence against him.  Since the cases were built on the same evidence, there was some optimism that a similar ruling would be made in the cases against Rev. Hassan Abduraheem Kodi Taour and Mr. Abdulmonem Abdumawla.

However, Middle East Concern — a group that supports people in the Middle East and North Africa who are marginalized, discriminated against, or persecuted for being or becoming Christians — notes that both were sentenced to ten years for abetting Jašek in the crime of espionage, and one year each for inciting strife between communities and spreading rumors that undermine the authority of the state (even though the legal maximum penalty for this last crime is six months in prison).  All of these sentences are to be served consecutively.

And the judge really threw the book at Petr Jasek, the Czech aid worker.  “The sentence against Mr. Jasek is a life-sentence.  Then, he was sentenced additional time ‘for spreading rumors that undermine the authority of the state’, ‘undertaking NGO work without a permit’, ‘inciting strife between communities’, and ‘entry in and photography of military areas‘ as well as the final charge of ‘entering the country illegally’.”

The Czech government is sending a representative to negotiate something on behalf of Mr. Jasek.

Why punish Revs. Hassan and Abdulmonem and Jasek?  It could be the government wanted to make an example of their situation, offers Nettleton.  “I think it sends a warning message.  I think it has a dampening effect on all of the Christians in Sudan, and even foreign Christians who would consider visiting Sudan.”  At this point, the situation is kind of locked in a ‘holding pattern’, he adds, “…waiting for an appeal to be filed, and then who knows what the time frame is at that point for the appeal to be considered, and for the possibility that this conviction would be overturned?”

(Image courtesy VOM-USA)

Watching from the outside, what can we do?  Nettleton says there are ways to write letters of encouragement to these men, through their Prisoner Alert program (click here to get connected), and we can pray.

“Just pray that God will encourage them.  I think of their families, as well — just thinking about the length of time and the severity of this sentence, it would be very disheartening.  So, we pray for encouragement, we pray for the appeal process to go forward, and for there to be favor on that appeal.  Ultimately, we want to pray that God’s will, will be done.”

Rev. Shamal freed in Sudan. (Photo courtesy of Middle East Concern)

Rev. Shamal, along with Rev. Abduraheem (pictured right) and Mr. Abdumawla — Sudanese nationals — and Mr. Jašek, a Czech citizen, have been behind bars in Sudan for over a year facing serious state charges.  However, on January 2nd, Todd Nettleton, a spokesman for the Voice of the Martyrs USA says, “The judge ruled there was not enough evidence to continue the charges and the trial against him, and he was set to be released to his family.”

It’s great news that’s tempered by this, “The charges against the other three continue.  We believe there will be another hearing next Monday continuing the trial against them.”

(Photo courtesy of VOM)

Citing both the Middle East Concern and Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports, Nettleton says the three raised money to treat a badly burned young man who had taken part in a student protest in 2013.  When the group was arrested, the money was confiscated, and charges were leveled that included (for Jasek) waging war against the state, violating restrictions in military areas, spreading rumors to defame the state, espionage, and inciting strife between communities.  Abduraheem and Abdumawla will only be tried for the last two of these charges.

“The trial will continue on Monday”, Nettleton says, adding that they’ll finally get a look at the legal team’s strategy.  “Our understanding is the prosecution is now finished.  Starting on Monday, the defense lawyers will be able to present their case.”

If convicted, the punishment for some of the charges could include the death penalty or life imprisonment.

The good news: “It seems like the fact that the judge has already looked at the evidence in the case of one of the pastors and said, ‘There’s simply not enough evidence to hold this man; you’re free to go,’ hopefully, that will happen with the others as well, because the evidence against all of them is basically the same.”

VOM’s association with the case?  “We do have a connection with Mr. Jasek, the Czech brother.  He has helped us to deliver aid in Sudan as well as in Northern Nigeria.  That kind of makes it a personal connection, the fact that he’s helped us deliver aid in those countries.”  VOM’s PrisonerAlert explains it this way:

While his work has always been humanitarian in nature, the Sudanese government has sought to characterize him as a “filmmaker” who was conspiring against the Sudanese state. They claim that his donation toward medical care for the injured young man was actually support for South Sudanese rebels.

(Screen capture courtesy of Prayercast)

VOM is encouraging people to write a letter of encouragement to Mr. Jasek.  You may mail your letter in care of the Sudan Embassy in Washington, D.C., to let Sudan’s government know that Christians around the world are aware of his case and are concerned for these falsely accused men.

Then, pray: “Pray for them physically and emotionally that they’ll be encouraged, protected, and strong. Pray for their families, that they’ll be encouraged as well. We hope this is coming to a close. We hope soon there will be a pronouncement that all of these men are innocent, just as we celebrate the release of Pastor Kuwa [Shamal].”