13 April 2021
Authorities in Eritrea released on Sunday 11 April all but one of 23 Christians arrested at a prayer meeting in the capital Asmara towards the end of March.
Eritrean church leader Dr Berhane Asmelash said they do not yet know why the Christian man was denied freedom. They are also waiting to hear about the wellbeing of the released Christians, who are mostly women and were in good health when they were arrested and taken to Mai Sarawa prison.
Another twelve Christians were arrested towards the end of March at a prayer meeting in Assab, on the Red Sea about 660 miles (1,060 km) from Asmara, near the border with Djibouti. They remain held in Assab prison, where conditions are known to be harsh. It is in a remote port area of the city reserved for military use.