Eritrea says not aware of mass arrest of Christians

ICC Note

Senior Eritrean official says he is not aware of arrest of Christians but a Western diplomat in Eritrea confirmed the report of arrest.

By Jeremy Clarke

12/10/2009 Eritrea (Reuters)- Eritrea said on Thursday it was not aware of reports of an alleged mass arrest of Christians that a rights group says took place in the capital Asmara last weekend.

International Christian Concern, a Washington D.C.-based rights group, said 30 “mostly elderly” women had been arrested by security forces while praying at a house on Saturday.

An Asmara-based Western diplomat said the arrests had taken place, but that there was uncertainty about the number detained.