EU Envoy appeals for the release of two Sudanese men convicted of aiding Czech aid worker

Jan Figel, Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or Belief outside the EU, has called on Sudanese authorities to release two men who were jailed in connection with the espionage case involving a Czech Christian aid worker.

In January, Rev. Hassan Abduraheem and geologist Abdumonem Abdumawla were found guilty of aiding and abetting Petr Jasek, who was charged with spying, inciting hatred between religious groups, and propagating of false news. The two Sudanese men were sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment while Jasek received a 20-year prison sentence.

In February, Jasek was pardoned by President Omar al-Bashir and released into the care of Czech Foreign Minister Lubomir Zaoralek, who was in Sudan's capital of Khartoum at that time for talks on bilateral relations.

Supporters argued that there are no grounds to keep Abdumawla and Abduraheem in prison because Jasek has already been pardoned and released, World Watch Monitor reported.

The case against the three men stemmed from their attempts to support Ali Omer, a Sudanese student who was injured during a protest in 2013. When Jasek attempted to leave Sudan in December 2015, authorities found in his possession a receipt detailing a $5,000 contribution to the student.

Jasek explained that the money was for Omer's treatment, but the prosecution alleged that it was a donation to rebel groups in the southern regions of South Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Darfur.

Abduraheem, who facilitated the meeting between Jasek and Omer, was arrested by Sudanese authorities at his home on Dec. 19, 2015. Abdumawla was also arrested that same month after he began collecting money to help Omer.

Ahmed El Tijani, the chairman of Sudan's Legislation and Justice Committee at the National Assembly, noted that Figel also brought up the issue of the demolition of several churches in Sudan. Tijani cited issues of land ownership as the reason for the demolitions and claimed that some mosques were also demolished for the same reason.

It was reported in February that the authorities planned to demolish 25 churches, but the decision has been suspended.

Figel stated that the exchanges during his visit "demonstrated readiness of Sudanese partners to engage in continuous and constructive dialogue on religious diversity in Sudan, Horn of Africa and globally."