Hundreds of Christians have been arrested in Eritrea following a raid on a prayer meeting near the capital, Asmara.
Eritrean security forces arrested 185 worshippers, most of whom are
women, who had gathered to pray for the thousands fleeing the country,
where a "shoot to kill" policy is allegedly in place to target those who
try to leave.
Harsh persecution of Christians has increased in Eritrea in the past
decade.
In 2002, the Government shut down all churches that did not
belong to Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran denominations. Some 1,500
Christians are currently detained because of their faith.
The mass arrests could herald a new clampdown on Christians, the
Chief Executive of Release International, Paul Robinson, warned.
"The arrest has alarmed underground church leaders, who fear that this may be a sign of things to come," he said.
This past week the African bishops made a statement blaming hardship,
poverty and a lack of freedom on the continent for driving hundreds of
migrants to risk their lives making the perilous journey to Europe.