Two pastors and a Czech aid worker are among four people standing trial for “crimes against national security” in Khartoum, Sudan. If found guilty on all charges, the men could be sentenced to death. The next hearing in the trial is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 26.
Those being tried include Rev. Hassan Abduraheem and Rev. Kuwa Shamal, both pastors in the Sudan Church of Christ; Petr Jasek, an aid worker from the Czech Republic; and Abdulmonem Abdumawla, another Sudanese national. Mr. Jasek’s family has asked The Voice of the Martyrs to bring his situation to the attention of American Christians, asking for prayer and advocacy as the trial continues.
“We are literally fighting for these men’s lives,” said Todd Nettleton, spokesperson for The Voice of the Martyrs. “The case against two pastors, an aid worker and another Sudanese man revolves around providing medical care to an injured Darfur native, Mr. Ali Omer,” Nettleton said. “These men are not spies. They were not inciting a revolt. They aren’t pushing a political agenda. These four are simply trying to serve and help. Only tyrants consider helping people a crime, and the four men should be released immediately.”
Sudan’s president, Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, is the only current head of state under indictment by the International Criminal Court. Considered a fugitive by the court, al-Bashir stands charged on five counts of crimes against humanity, two counts of war crimes and three counts of genocide. Sudan is one of three nations, along with Iran and Syria, that the U.S. State Department identifies as a State Sponsor of Terrorism.
Mr. Jasek has a 20-year background in the medical field, including 10 years as a hospital administrator. This experience and training uniquely qualified him to serve suffering people in places like Sudan. Mr. Jasek has assisted VOM on different occasions to provide care to persecuted Christians in Sudan and Nigeria, including medical care for Christians attacked by Boko Haram.
In the first letter Mr. Jasek sent to his family after his arrest in December 2015, he stated that “God holds the key to my cell. He will open the door in His timing.”
The Voice of the Martyrs invites you to stand with Rev. Abduraheem, Rev. Shamal and Mr. Jasek in two ways:
1) ADD YOUR PRAYER ONwww.iCommitToPray.com. We will provide the families of our Christian brothers with a link to these prayers so they can see that believers from all over the world are praying for them and for their imprisoned husbands and fathers.
2) WRITE A LETTERto each of these brothers atwww.PrisonerAlert.com. The website provides information on composing your letters and mailing them to each prisoner, in care of the Sudan Embassy in Washington, D.C. Your letters will show the Sudanese government that Christians around the world are watching the trial and praying for these imprisoned Christians.
You can provide direct support for families affected by persecution by donating to VOM’sFamilies of MartyrsFund. Often when pastors or evangelists are imprisoned or killed for their activities, their families are left with little means of financial support. The Voice of the Martyrs established the Families of Martyrs Fund to help sustain these believers until they can find alternative means of support. The fund is also used to provide immediate support to those who have suffered persecution themselves. Support may include living expenses, relocation or vocational training. Thank you for standing with your persecuted family members today.
Posted: September 26, 2016
http://www.persecution.com/public/newsroom.aspx?story_ID=%3d383233&source=EM1609PJ
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J.Š.28.9.2016
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