Eight Christians have languished in prison cells in the eastern African nation of Eritrea for between 18 and 21 years for simply following Christ.  

Despite public outcry and egregious violations of religious liberties, the nation refuses to release the Christians. 

Eritrean authorities routinely arrest and imprison Christians in horrific conditions under severe authoritarian rule.  

The nation recognizes only four religious groups within its borders: the Tewahedo Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, Evangelical Lutheran churches, and Sunni Islam. All other Christian denominations are unrecognized by the state.   

“Christians from prohibited denominations are particularly targeted, subjected to arbitrary arrest and lengthy terms of imprisonment often without charge or trial,” according to Barnabas Aid.  

Additionally, churches that are granted permission to operate reportedly receive harassment from authorities as well. 

According to a 2025 report from the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), “as of May 2024, over 350 Christians were imprisoned [in Eritrea].” The report continued, stating that “police at times arrest entire Christian families, including children, during the early morning hours.” 

Fitsum-Berhan Gebrenegus, Gebremedhin Gebregergis, and Tekleab Mengisteab were detained Nov. 18-19, 2004, though no official charges were made against them. The three men had been part of a movement within the Orthodox Church known as the Medhane Alem (Savior of the World) Church in Asmara. 

Within the movement, Gebregergis read the New Testament to congregants in their local language rather than teaching them in the traditional manner of using an ancient tongue known only to the priest class. Mengisteab and Gebrenegus also used the local language to teach parishioners about the Bible. 

The church in which the three men served was closed by Eritrean authorities after the men were detained. 

Kiflu Gebremeskel and Haile Naizghe were arrested on May 23, 2004. Per the USCIRF, the men were detained “possibly in relation to … leadership role(s) within a banned network of churches.” 

Meron Gebreselasie, detained on June 3, 2004, and Kidane Weldou, detained on March 18, 2005, were also potentially arrested due to their alleged involvement in banned churches. 

Mussie Ezaz, arrested on Sept. 1, 2007, was an evangelist for more than a decade before his detainment and allegedly served in the Word of Life Church. According to a Jubilee Campaign report, there are “no formal charges against him” despite his continued imprisonment. 

The men are believed to be held in Eritrea’s Wengel Mermera Central Criminal Investigation Center, which has been described as a “dungeon-like inner labyrinth of cells” by Church in Chains. Reports of abuse and torture within Eritrea’s prison system are rampant, and the nation’s treatment of its prisoners may be described as nothing short of inhumane. 

Story by Lynn Arias 

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