Czech aid worker, two Sudanese Christians receive prison sentences in Sudan

A Czech aid worker, a Sudanese pastor and a Christian from Darfur received lengthy prison sentences in Sudan on charges related to espionage.

Petr Jasek, a 52-year-old Czech aid worker, was sentenced on Sunday to 23-and-a-half years' imprisonment after he was pronounced guilty of spying and various other charges. The court also fined him 100,000 Sudanese pounds (about $15,000) for engaging in NGO work without a permit, World Watch Monitor reported.

Rev. Hassan Taour and Darfuri graduate Abdulmonem Abdumawla each received sentences of 12 years' imprisonment for aiding Jasek in the espionage, causing hatred among communities and spreading false information.

The defense attorneys have expressed intentions to file an appeal within the next two weeks.

The case against the three men stemmed from their attempts to help a Sudanese student named Ali Omer, who was injured during a protest in 2013. Jasek was arrested in December 2015 as he was leaving Sudan. The authorities found a receipt on Jasek, detailing his $5,000 contribution to the student.

The aid worker explained that it was for Omer's medical cost, but the prosecution accused him of donating the money to rebel groups based in the southern regions of South Kordofan, Blue Nile and Darfur.

Kuwa Shamal, another pastor who was arrested in connection to the case of the three men, was acquitted of charges ranging from spying to inciting hatred against the government on Jan. 2.

Officials from the Czech Republic condemned the ruling and vowed to secure Jasek's release from prison. Foreign Minister Lubomír Zaorálek was expected to travel to Sudan's capital of Khartoum to discuss the release of Jasek with his Sudanese counterpart, according to BosNewsLife.

Joel Edwards, the advocacy director of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said that the sentences received by the three men were excessive and unjustified, given the lack of evidence against them.

"Mr. Jasek, Rev. Abduraheem and Mr. Abdumawla are not spies; they were simply driven by compassion to source finance for the medical treatment of a man whose injuries are so severe that he requires ongoing medical care," Edwards said in a press statement, as reported by Morning Star News.

"We call for the annulment of the verdict and the immediate release of these three men," he added.