Eritrea Arrests 30 Praying Women, Relatives Say

December 11, 2009

Author: Staff Writer

Source: BBC News

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8407704.stm

Thirty elderly women have been arrested in Eritrea while praying together, one of their relatives living in the United States has told the BBC.

Requesting anonymity, she said she only found out about her mother when she phoned to speak to her this week.

Most of the women belonged to an outlawed evangelical group.

The government recognises only four faiths - Islam, Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran - and bans gatherings of more than five people.

Eritrea's information minister told Reuters news agency he was not aware of the weekend arrests.