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"Eritrean Government Intensifies Crackdown on Christians
The Eritrean government is intensifying its efforts to crackdown on Christianity, jailing nearly 2,000 Christians held most indefinitely and without charge.

Posted: Monday, December 26 , 2005, 14:20 (UK)

The Eritrean government is intensifying its efforts to crackdown on Christianity, jailing nearly 2,000 Christians held most indefinitely and without charge.

The small East African nation of Eritrea was recently listed by Open Doors USA as one of the top three countries this year for Christian persecution, along with North Korea and Indonesia. According to a recent estimate, about 1,778 Christians may currently be detained in Eritrea, reported Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).

Persecution of Christians has increase to the extent that even the government-sanctioned Orthodox Church has been affected. Its Patriarch, Abune Antonios, was stripped of all administrative duties and placed under virtual house arrest this year, primarily for refusing to close down the Medhane Alem Church, CSW reported.

In addition, the government in October unexpectedly asked the Indian pastor of St. George’s Anglican Church in Asmara to leave the country when the church had begun to draw large numbers of young Eritreans to its services.

CSW also reported that many of the Christians detained in Eritrea are held at military bases.

In one case, Full Gospel Pastor Abraham Belay has reportedly been transferred to Wi’a, one of the hottest places on earth to undergo military training despite the fact that ministers of the go"