Originally written on 30-05-2005.

Release Eritrea has received news that security forces raided and detained 250-300 guests at a wedding in Asmara, on Saturday 28th of May. The wedding reception which was being held at a function hall known as Kewa in the centre of Asmara (near the Cathedral) is said to have been that of members of Meserete Kirstos Church, one of the closed churches.

In a similar raid to that which was carried out in Barentu back in January, security forces stormed and arrested the entire wedding party including the bride and groom (Mr Benyam Gezae). The party was detained overnight in a brand new police station in the area known as Expo near Asmara International Airport. Passers by in the early hours of the morning could hear the detainees singing and praising God from their holding place. On Sunday 29th May some women and few Men were released although the condition of their release is yet unclear. Among those arrested is Essey Stefanos (in his early thirties) a gospel singer whose songs of worship are sang by Eritreans across the globe.

In a separate incidence another wedding reception that was due to be held at a function hall attached to the bathing pools of Asmara (mewagna) was cancelled for fear that the experiences of the meserte Kirstos wedding at Kewa being repeated. A guest from the cancelled wedding reception stated ‘we are just saddened and hurt that a government that turns a blind eye to the exaggerated wedding extravaganza from others chooses to deny us our simple ceremonies to celebrate the weddings of our children who after all have paid their utmost for their country too, today the government ruined not just one but two weddings.’

Dr Berhane Asmelash –director of Release Eritrea said ‘with the release of most of those who were detained in Barentu over the last few weeks, I was hoping that this trend of raiding weddings and detaining people indiscriminately may perhaps be coming to an end, I have been proven wrong . I once again call on all Eritreans, Friends of Eritrea and members of the international community to join me in raising objections to this, Abuse of Eritrean Christians must stop.’