Sudan: Freed Pastors Unable to Leave Sudan Due to Flight Restrictions

Pastors Michael Yat and Peter Yen, who were released from prison after a judge’s ruling on 5 August, were unable to leave Sudan due to “illegal” travel restrictions by the Sudan National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS).

According to World Watch Monitor, pastors Michael Yat and Peter Yen were stopped, but not re-arrested, at the Khartoum International Airport after trying to leave the country, following their release after Wednesday, 5 August’s court hearing in the Sudan capital.

The pastors’ lawyers appealed the flight restriction on 9 August. The two pastors attempted to leave Sudan in the early hours of Thursday, 8 August, to an unknown destination. The two men had faced charges that could have carried the death penalty. According to new information the pastors were found guilty on one count each but Judge Ahmed Ghaboush ruled that their eight months in prison leading up to the verdict had satisfied the sentences for those charges.

One of the pastors’ lawyers told Radio Tamajuz that the travelling restrictions from the Sudan National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS), which are still in place since March 2015, are “illegal” and announced that the legal team will attempt other methods to get the travel restrictions lifted.

Please continue to pray for the Lord’s protection over our brothers and their families and for wisdom for their lawyers.