Eritrea: Edited testimonies of detainees

Testimony 1

Whilst worshiping in the desert, along with eight others during his term of military service, this singer was captured by military police. He was sentenced to six months imprisonment in a military prison and was released, but was seen as a suspect. The military police told him to leave his faith and that they would let him live if he did, if not, he would be killed. He was also told not to sing, or gather with other Christians, or read the Bible, and was asked to sign a letter attesting to this, but refused to do so.

One of the colonels eventually rounded up all identified Christians and told them they would be imprisoned for three years.

He was separated from the others. The area was very hot, and they were each held in cells four metres underground for six months. He was only allowed out to eat in the morning or to go to bathroom, and he was not allowed to communicate with anyone else.

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