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
JK Rowling says she has a 'God-shaped vacuum' inside her heart
JK Rowling says she has a 'God-shaped vacuum' inside her heart

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling has opened up about her religious beliefs and acknowledged that she has a "God-shaped vacuum" in her heart that she could take to the grave.

Opponents of assisted suicide still hopeful it will be rejected by the House of Lords
Opponents of assisted suicide still hopeful it will be rejected by the House of Lords

The government itself is split on the controversial issue.

Anglican Communion entering a 'crucial' period, says Gafcon leader ahead of Nigeria meeting
Anglican Communion entering a 'crucial' period, says Gafcon leader ahead of Nigeria meeting

Orthodox Anglicans are being invited to Abuja in Nigeria for the next Gafcon conference.

Multiple sexual partners a turn off for men and women, study finds
Multiple sexual partners a turn off for men and women, study finds

More important than the raw number of previous partners was the full picture of an individual's sexual history.