Originally written on 01-11-2005.

Sources in Asmara have confirmed that a number of Christian prisoners who were detained from church offices at the beginning of last month have been released without charges. All the female detainees and at least two male detainees have been released After spending several days incarceration.

In a separate news Pastor Ukbamichael Tekle-haimanot, who was arrested at a wedding in Barentu at the beginning of the year was released from a prison in Sawa military training centre. Over the nine months during which he was incarceration pastor Ukbamichael ‘s health condition was of great concern to his colleagues and his family.

Release Eritrea is pleased to learn of the discharges, and continues to urge the government of Eritrea to release all Christian Prisoners of conscience without preconditions and restore religious freedom to all Eritreans. In a statement Dr Berhane Asmelash director of Release-Eritrea said; ‘I am delighted to hear that there have been several releases, it is my sincere prayer and hope that the others will be freed in the near future too’

It is to be remembered that several hundred Eritrean Christians from minority Churches including several pastors and priests are under arrest without charge or due process. It is also to be remembered that since 2002 the government of Eritrea has effectively outlawed these churches recognising three other Christian groups (the Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran churches of Eritrea) and Islam as the county’s only official religions.