Pastors in Sudan charged of lying about Christian persecution, could face death penalty

Chiqui Guyjoco Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Two pastors in Sudan faced the death penalty as prosecutors charged them with seven alleged crimes, including lying about Christian persecution.

The trial for Rev. Hassan Abdelrahim Tawor and the Rev. Kwa Shamaal, members of the Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC), started Sunday as prosecutors charged the two pastors of seven crimes, according to Morning Star News.

A South Sudanese worshipper arrives to attend Sunday prayers in Baraka Parish church at Hajj Yusuf, on the outskirts of Khartoum, February 27, 2013 10:06am EST | Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

Christian Worldwide Solidarity (CSW) cited the charges that include execution of a criminal agreement (Article 21 of the Sudanese Criminal Code); waging war against the state (Article 51); espionage (Article 53); calling for opposition to the public authority by violence or criminal force (Article 63); exciting hatred between classes (Article 64); propagation of false news article (Article 66); and entry and photograph of military areas and equipment (Article 57). The violations of Articles 51 and 53 both merit death penalty.

"These innocent men now face the possibility of a death sentence on evidence that would not justify an arrest, let alone a conviction, given its paucity," said CSW's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas.

The trial also involves Abdulmonem Abdumawla, a Muslim graduate from Darfur who raised a fund for his friend's medical treatment, Ali Omer. Omer sustained severe burns after joining a student protest at Quran Karim University in Omdurman last year. Rev. Tawor donated money, which didn't sit well with the Sudanese government.

National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) reportedly targeted Darfuri students after a senior member of the National Congress Party (NCP) died in April last year.

CSW denounced the charged against Rev. Tawor and Abdumawla for "seeking to assist with medical expenses" and against Rev. Shamaal for "being a Christian and a friend of Reverend Abduraheem."

Rev. Tut Kony of the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church said even the arrest of two of their Presbyterian pastors in December 2014 and January 2015, respectively "is not something new for our church"

"Almost all pastors have gone to jail under the government of Sudan," Rev. Kony told the Presbyterian Church (USA). "This is their habit to pull down the church. We are not surprised. This is the way they deal with the church."