Eight leaders of the Sudanese Church of Christ acquitted

A criminal court in Omdurman, Sudan, acquitted eight leaders of the Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) of all charges against them on 19 October.

The case was opened against the elected president and seven senior leaders of the SCOC after the denomination challenged a government decision to impose an unelected leadership committee on the church. The eight leaders were initially arrested on 23 August 2017 and accused of refusing to hand over administrative control of the church to an unelected church committee led by Mr Angelo Alzaki and appointed by the Ministry of Guidance and Religious Endowments during the regime of former president Omar al Bashir.

On 9 August 2018 the case against the church leaders was dismissed by the court of first instance. However, the ruling was appealed, and the case was re-opened in July 2019. The church leaders subsequently were charged with criminal trespass and illegal possession of SCOC properties on 7 October 2019, after the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court determined that a new criminal trial should proceed.

On 19 October 2020, a criminal court in Omdurman finally acquitted the leaders of all charges against them.

The SCOC is a predominantly Nuban denomination and has experienced both religious and ethnic discrimination.

CSW’s Founder President Mervyn Thomas said: “CSW welcomes the news of the acquittal of the eight Sudanese Church of Christ leaders. We hope that this ruling will finally close this painful chapter for the church, which has struggled for over three years to regain control over its internal affairs following the unwarranted interference by the former regime, which constituted a gross violation of the right to freedom of religion or belief. We urge the current Sudanese administration to ensure that the church leaders are free to live their lives and carry out their clerical duties without fear of further harassment through the judicial system.”

In an unrelated development, the Attorney General in Ombada has charged 13 defendants accused of burning down a temporary SCOC structure in Jabarona on 14 August under articles 144 and 182 of the Sudanese Penal Code, which refer to ‘intimidation’ and ‘criminal mischief.’ Their case has now been referred to the Omdurman Criminal Court. This is the first time anyone has been charged for burning or damaging a church building. The church had previously been attacked by extremists four times between December 2019 and January 2020.

Mervyn Thomas added: “CSW welcomes the charging of the individuals responsible for burning down the church in Jabarona, which sets an important precedent for the country. Given that the former regime espoused religious and ethnic supremacism, the enjoyment of freedom of religion or belief and equal citizenship constitute the true litmus test for change in Sudan. We encourage the government to continue to promote, protect and fulfil freedom of religion or belief and human rights generally for every Sudanese citizen.”