Article from Open doors
http://www.opendoorsuk.org/news/stories/sudan_150629.php
Sudan: Update - Charges against pastors upheld
03 July 2015
After a full day of trial on Wednesday 1 July, a Sudanese judge found enough evidence to uphold charges against Sudanese pastors Michael Yat and Peter Yen. They are accused of seven crimes, two of which carry the death penalty.
The ruling is not a conviction, but means the defence must present evidence of the men's innocence, which will take place on 14 July. This leaves their lawyer, Mr Muhaned Mustafa, with less than two weeks to prepare their case. He will have only ten to fifteen minutes prior to this hearing to prepare his clients.
At the end of those proceedings, the court will have the final opportunity to review all the evidence presented and drop the charges or convict the pastors.
Suspicious 'evidence'
During Wednesday's hearing the judge questioned both men about documents found on their computer after their arrests, which included internal church reports, maps that show the population and topography of Khartoum, Christian literature, and a study guide on the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS).
"All of these materials, with the exception of the internal church report and the study guide on NISS are publicly accessible materials," explains the American Centre for Law and Justice (ACLJ).
The pastors acknowledged having the internal church report, but both said they had never seen the study guide on NISS until it was presented in court. They had no knowledge of how it got on the computer.
Besides these documents, the only evidence brought by the prosecution against the Christian pastors was a sermon Pastor Michael gave on the Christian doctrines of their denomination.
No access
At the conclusion of the court hearing the attorney requested access to his clients, but the judge only had authority to grant him visitation at the court.
"Sudanese law grants sole discretion for visitation rights at the prison to the prison directorate, who in this case has previously denied requests for access," the ACLJ says.
Denying the pastors access to their lawyer to prepare their case is a violation of rights guaranteed both under Sudanese law and international law. The attorney will appeal the matter to the prison authorities on Sunday 5 July.
The judge offered the attorney ten or fifteen minutes at the court to prepare his defence. The attorney protested that such time is not adequate to prepare a defence, let alone a defence for charges that carry the death penalty, but to no avail.
"The judge in this case is walking a tight rope. He is under pressure to balance local expectations on him to uphold the principles of the Sharia governed state with adherence to international human rights standards. Christians around the world must pray and advocate fervently for justice to be done for the pastors in accordance with international human rights standards," an Open Doors expert has said.
Peter Yen has told CBN: "We want you to pray that this test be for the glory of God in this place... and for us to be in peace with our people and the ones who are against us."
Please keep praying on their behalf. You can also speak up on behalf of Pastor Michael and Pastor Yen. Email advocacy@opendoorsuk.org and we will provide you with more information.
Please pray:
- That justice will be done for the pastors
- That the Lord will grant wisdom and protection to the legal team
- That the Lord will continue to provide strength
- That the Lord will sustain their families and provide for their every need
- That the Lord's name will be glorified in these developments in accordance with their desire.
SUDAN: PASTOR'S ATTORNEY ARRESTED
02 July 2015
Mohaned Mustafa, attorney for
the two imprisoned Sudanese pastors Michael Yat and Peter Yen, was also imprisoned this week, along with another pastor, Pastor Hafez.
Pastor Hafez leads the Khartoum Bhari Evangelical Church, the church where Pastor Michael preached and spoke out against the persecution of Christians in Sudan and an ongoing land dispute between the church and the government.
Pastor Hafez asked Mr. Mustafa to come to his church when the police appeared with engineers to destroy it under a government order. Mr. Mustafa looked at the government order and said that it authorised the government to destroy one area of the church compound, but the police were instructing the engineers to destroy another.
The pastor and the attorney were then arrested, but released on bail shortly afterwards. They have been charged with violating article 99 of the Sudanese Penal Code of 1991 which criminalises obstructing a public servant during the course of his duty. If convicted they could receive up to six months imprisonment, a fine or both.
"This arrest of their attorney is of great concern. While we are pleased that he was promptly released on bail, the arrest shows a potential that high-level individuals are attempting to interfere in the judicial cases involving both the church land dispute and Pastors Michael and Peter," says the American Centre for Law and Justice.
We are awaiting further updates following Michael and Peter's hearing this week.
Source: ACLJ
PLEASE PRAY:
- that the pastors, their attorney and their families will know the Lord's peace and protection
- that the charges against them all will be dropped
- that Pastor Michael and Pastor Peter will be freed
- that the Sudanese government will respond to international pressure on this issue.
Imprisoned pastors have new court date
29 June 2015
Following the hearing on 25 June, two imprisoned South Sudanese pastors will face a judge on 2 July.
Pastor Michael Yat and Peter Yen stand accused of crimes against the state, with two of the crimes carrying the death penalty. They were arrested after speaking out against the treatment of Christians in Sudan.
The prosecution closed its case on 25 June after presenting its final witness, an officer of the National Intelligence and Security Service. No new evidence was offered.
The two men will now return to court on 2 July, when the judge will question them. He will then decide whether to drop the case against them or allow it to continue.
They are still being detained at the high security Kober Prison. Although no longer in solitary confinement, they are still being denied visitors, and can only meet with their families and legal team when attending hearings.
Please keep praying on their behalf. You can also speak up on behalf of Pastor Michael and Pastor Yen. Email advocacy@opendoorsuk.org and we will provide you with more information.
Source: MEC; World Watch Monitor
Please pray:
- that the Pastors and their families will continue to know the Lord's peace and protection
- that the charges against them will be dropped and they will be freed
- that the Sudanese government will respond to international pressure on this issue.
Father,
I pray for the persecuted church...
we know that only you can free these Pastors, we trust you with their care, in Jesus name, Amen
