Sudanese Pastors Acquitted, Released

Friday, August 7, 2015

By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) - Sudanese Pastors Yat Michael and Peter Yein Reith were both acquitted Wednesday by a court in Khartoum after serving months in prison on charges that included espionage and waging war against the state.

According to International Christian Concern, both pastors had faced flogging, life imprisonment or even the death penalty if convicted of the charges.

Michael and Reith were detained without charge for months by Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services. But now, both are grateful for all who had prayed for their freedom.

"We are very happy now we are free because of your prayers," Reith told the American Center for Law and Justice. "Thank you for all that you have done for us. God heard your prayers and we are free!"

Last month, defense attorney Mohaned Mustafa told ICC that the arrests of Michael and Reith were motivated by their pastoral work.

"They are missionaries. This is not a crime in Sudan, but this is not acceptable to the government."