Khartoum
Khartoum (AFP) - Two South Sudanese pastors went on trial Tuesday in Sudan on accusations of spying and crimes against the state, for which they could receive the death penalty, their lawyer said.
Yat Michael and Peter Yen were arrested during visits to the Sudanese capital Khartoum in late 2014 and early 2015, respectively.
Michael was detained when he delivered prayers at a Protestant church.
At the opening of their trial, prosecutors called for them to be convicted of crimes against the state and the constitution, as well as crimes of hatred, inciting ethnic hatred, espionage, and disrupting public order.
"Their mission is to preach the Christian religion, and there is nothing in Sudanese law against this," said their lawyer, Muhannad al-Hussein.
The two pastors, who appeared in court wearing blue robes, were taken back to prison at the end of the hearing.
South Sudan, which split from Sudan in 2011, has a population that is mainly Christian or animist, while most Sudanese are Sunni Muslim.
Newer articles:
- U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Statement on the Violence in South Sudan - 20/05/2015 15:00
- South Sudan fighting continues near major oilfield, U.N. asks for a halt - 20/05/2015 11:41
- South Sudan: 4 Killed as UN Compound Is Bombed - 20/05/2015 09:55
- Rebels Did Not Seize Oil Fields, South Sudan Government Says - 20/05/2015 09:23
- South Sudan Producing Oil Fields Seized In Rebel-Government Clash - 19/05/2015 15:25
Older news items
- South Sudan groups targeting children, UN report says - 19/05/2015 12:01
- Aid in South Sudan: 'My heart would skip a beat with every gunshot' - 19/05/2015 03:17
- Op-Ed: South Sudan – the endless brutality of killing and rape - 18/05/2015 17:09
- Violence in South Sudan targets children, UNICEF says - 18/05/2015 13:42
- South Sudan Bishop calls for strong families - 18/05/2015 13:13
Latest news items (all categories):
- Press Statement From The South Sudan Human Rights Defenders Network (SSHRDN) - 07/08/2026 22:18
- Boston Judge Allows Trump Administration to End South Sudan TPS Protections - 07/08/2026 22:11
- Time Running Short ahead of December Elections in South Sudan - 07/08/2026 22:07
- A Roadmap Home for South Sudan’s Displaced Families - 07/08/2026 21:58
- The World’s Aid Workers Must Be Protected - 07/08/2026 21:54
Random articles (all categories):
- South Sudan won't be ready for polls - UN - 15/04/2022 11:24
- Media coverage of Ukraine shows it's time to rethink what we know about Africa - 04/03/2022 00:13
- South Sudan: South Sudan to Seek Washington's Help At U.S.-Africa Summit - 04/08/2014 17:36
- Sudan's gold rush wreaks havoc on health - 18/07/2022 02:30
- All eyes set on Kiir after South Sudan concludes dialogue conference - 21/11/2020 07:53
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 148360 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 27927 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 25009 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24334 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22291 times
