The Revd Kwa Shamal, of the Sudan Church of Christ, was re-arrested by the police on 24 May.
Mr Shamal had been reporting daily to the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) offices as a condition of his release, following his initial arrest in December 2015 during a crackdown by the authorities on Christians in the country. His reporting conditions had been removed on 16 January, but were reinstated in February, when he was also required to hand over his passport, laptop computer and other personal items. On 24 May he reported to NISS as usual, but was unexpectedly arrested by the police and his case is now with the prosecutor.
Criminal investigation
Mr Shamal’s arrest follows the transfer of his colleague the Revd Hassan Abduraheem from the detention of NISS to the Attorney General’s custody on 9 May. Lawyers representing Mr Abduraheem have confirmed that a criminal investigation has been initiated by the prosecutor, who may charge him with national security crimes. The lawyers also confirmed that Mr Shamal has been added to the prosecutor’s investigation. The lawyers expressed concern at the conditions in which the men are being detained, noting that the clergymen are being held in small rooms with intermittent electricity supply and limited ventilation.
