Trial Adjourned Of Christian Pastors Facing Death Penalty In Sudan

Pastors Kuwa Shamal (left) and Hassan Taour are among four Christians facing the death penalty for claims that Christians are persecuted in Sudan. World Watch Monitor

The "spying" trial of pastors in Sudan has been adjourned until next month after the prosecution failed to prepare adequately for the case.

Four defendants, including two Christian pastors and a foreign Christian worker, are accused of spying. They have denied the charges.

Their trial in Khartoum was delayed for a second time after the judge accused the prosecution of being inadequately prepared.

All four men face the death penalty if found guilty.

They are Rev Hassan Taour, Rev Kuwa Shamal, Czech aid worker Petr Jasek and Darfuri graduate Abdulmonem Abdumawla.

When the case resumed yesterday, the prosecution used videos to back up the charges of spying, sources close to the trial told World Watch Monitor (WWM).

The defence said the material was not relevant to the case.  The judge apparently agreed and warned the prosecution to come better prepared next time, WWM reported.

The hearing was adjourned until 17 October.

According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide, Jasek is charged with propagating false news. He, Taour, Shamal and Abdumawla face at least seven charges including waging war against the state. One charge against the pastors is that they propagated news about churches being burned down in Khartoum and bombed in the Nuba mountains, where Christians are classed as "atheists".

On the Open Doors' 2016 World Watch List, Sudan is ranked eighth, and the organisation has requested prayers for the four defendants.

News
Sudan authorities use bureaucracy to stop church rebuilding and worship
Sudan authorities use bureaucracy to stop church rebuilding and worship

Authorities in Sudan are obstructing efforts by a church to rebuild and even to use their place of worship

Ramadan ‘offers a unique opportunity’ to share the Gospel, says missiologist
Ramadan ‘offers a unique opportunity’ to share the Gospel, says missiologist

Dr Emil Saleem Shehadeh has some sage advice for how Christians can engage with their Muslim neighbours and colleagues during Ramadan.

David Tudor hit with another lifetime ministry ban
David Tudor hit with another lifetime ministry ban

Having already been banned, the latest sanction merely reinforces an earlier decision.

Armenia’s Christian civilization is under existential threat - the UK must not stand idly by
Armenia’s Christian civilization is under existential threat - the UK must not stand idly by

The constellation of powers that produced the eradication of the Armenian Christian presence in Nagorno Karabakh now have their sights on the Republic of Armenia itself.