Sudanese pastor acquitted of capital crimes but three more Christians remain on trial

Jardine Malado Wednesday, January 04, 2017

St. Matthew's Cathedral, Khartoum | Wikimedia Commons/Shmyg

Rev. Kuwa Shamaal, a Sudanese pastor who was accused of crimes related to national security, was released on Monday after he was acquitted of all charges against him. However, three of his co-accused are still on trial.

Shamaal was arrested from his home on Dec. 18, 2015. The judge found no sufficient evidence against him and dismissed the charges ranging from spying to inciting hatred against the government, Morning Star News reported.

"Yes, he was released today after the court found that he was not guilty of the charges brought against him," said attorney Muhanad Nur, who is one of the lawyers defending Shamaal and the other three Christians.

The court will continue to hear the case against Rev. Hassan Abduraheem, Petr Jasek and Adbulmonem Abdumawla, who were accused of crimes against the state. The next hearing will be on Jan. 9, 2017.

The case against the men stems from their attempts to help Ali Omer, a young man who was injured in a demonstration in 2013. After learning about Omer's situation, Jasek, a Czech aid worker, went to Khartoum to meet him and donated $5,000 for his treatment. The meeting was set up by Abduraheem. Abdumawla was also collecting money for Omer's treatment.

Jasek was stopped and searched at the Khartoum Airport by National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) agents as he was leaving Sudan. He was arrested, and his personal belongings, including his mobile phone, laptop and camera, were seized by the authorities.

The trial against the four men had been subjected to many delays. The judges were said to be out of the country during the scheduled hearings.

A Khartoum church leader alleged that the government is delaying the trial on purpose in order to avoid releasing the Christians.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide's (CSW's) Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas welcomed the acquittal of Shamaal and called for the release of the other three Christians.

"We urge the Sudanese government to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of these men, who have been detained since December 2015, simply for an act of kindness," Thomas said in a statement.