Originally written on 05-10-2005.

Release Eritrea has been informed that over two hundred Eritrean evangelicals and members of minority churches have been captured and detained from streets, workplaces and residences in Asmara, at the start of this week. In an operation that is said to have been the worst of its kind thus far, Eritrean security forces are reported to have detained hundreds whose whereabouts remains undisclosed.

In an email sources have also indicated that the development project of kalehiwet church has been closed and many officers have been detained from their work places. On Monday 3rd of October the development project, which is responsible for projects across the country, with an extensive emergency aid and feeding programm, was forcibly shut by Eritrean security forces. The entire team of staff of the project including administrative and support staff such as drivers and secretaries have all been detained. Amongst those detained are, the general secretary of the project Mr Ukbay and his administrator Mr Ghebre Michael. Many others including Pastors Simon and Teklit and Mr Berhane have also been detained. The main concern of those who contacted Release- Eritrea is the safety of all those detained. However there is a rising concern for the well-being of the families they have left behind too.

Our source said; ‘please remember that in many homes children and women are suffering and have also becomes victims of persecution. There will be no salary coming into many homes and their lives are in danger. Please pray for us’.

Last week Eritrea became the first country to have sanctions applied under US religious freedom law. The State department notified Congress that the secretary of state had banned commercial export of certain defence articles to Eritrea.