German news agency, DPA, reports from one of its stringers in Khartoum that there’s been a delay to the trial of two South Sudanese pastors arrested and for a long time held without charge. Due to the absence of a representative from the National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) today, the trial is due to reconvene on 19 May.
Both belong to the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church. Yat Michael was arrested in December after preaching at a Khartoum church, and Peter Yen (also named as David Yein Reith in some reports) was arrested in January when he delivered a letter to the Religious Affairs Office in Khartoum asking about his colleague’s arrest.
They face eight charges including undermining the constitutional system, spying, waging war against the state, and assaulting religious beliefs. If found guilty the two pastors could receive a death sentence; however their lawyer believes the charges could be dropped.