Category: Sudan

Pastor Yat Michael and Pastor Peter Yein arrived home in South Sudan on 19 August to a great welcome from family and friends. The two pastors had been stopped from leaving Sudan following their release from prison on 5 August.

Pastor Yat Michael and Pastor Peter Yein, released by a judge on Wednesday 5 August, have been prevented from leaving Sudan.

Pastor Yat Michael and Pastor Peter Yein were today freed by a court in Khartoum after an eight-month ordeal which began when Pastor Yat Michael was arrested in Khartoum in December 2014.

The two pastors from South Sudan were facing six charges including spying and could have faced the death penalty.

The defence team in the trial of two South Sudanese pastors closed its case at a hearing in Khartoum on 14 July, after presenting two witnesses who showed that the charges are without basis.

On Thursday 2 July, a judge in Khartoum ruled that the case against Pastor Yat Michael and Pastor Peter Yein should proceed. He made the ruling after questioning the two pastors during a full day’s hearing.

The trial of Pastor Yat Michael (49) and Pastor Peter Yein Reith (36) is continuing despite a lack of evidence against the two men. No new evidence was brought at the last two hearings on 15 and 18 June.

A court hearing on 31 May in Khartoum for two South Sudanese pastors facing the death penalty was adjourned to 1 June, and then until 15 June.