The body of a Christian mother of three, who died in detention in Eritrea in August, showed signs of torture that could have contributed to her death.
Eritrean authorities arrested Fikadu Debesay and her husband in the southern town of Adi Quala as part of a crackdown in May, when at least 122 Christians were detained for worshipping in unregistered churches. She died in detention north of the capital, Asmara, at Metkel Abiet, a camp in the Northern Red Sea Region where prisoners are held in harsh desert heat.
Children traumatised
A relative said that one of the children remarked: ‘Our parents were picked up by unknown people while we were praying at home, only for our mum to come back in a coffin. Where is our dad?’ The traumatised children are restless, have trouble sleeping at night and frequently scream. ‘We request prayers and financial support for the children,’ a source said.
