Dr. Kiflu Gebremeskel

Held 7,241 days  Arrested May 2004 in Eritrea

Prisoner Details

Dr. Kiflu Gebremeskel, a leading figure of Full Gospel Church of Eritrea, founder and senior pastor of Southwest Full Gospel Church and member of the executive committee to the Full Gospel Church of Eritrea, was arrested on May 23, 2004. He was taken from his home in Asmara Gejeret, at approximately 5 a.m. Dr. Gebremeskel was a mathematics lecturer, department and faculty head at the University of Asmara until 1999, when he became a full-time pastor at the Southwest Full Gospel Church. He has a Ph.D. in mathematics from The University of Chicago. His wife and four children have not been able to visit him.

About 2,000 Eritrean Christians are believed to be under arrest because of their religious beliefs, held in police stations, military camps and prisons in 12 known locations across Eritrea. Dr. Gebremeskel is one of the 28 clergymen being held.

Jailed Protestants are routinely subjected to physical beatings and severe psychological pressure to deny their religious beliefs. Police and military authorities continue to demand the prisoners return to one of the three "official" Christian denominations recognized by the government. But even the legally recognized denominations--the nation's historic Orthodox, Catholic and Lutheran churches--have come under government disfavor, incurring threats and even jailing by security police officials.

Sources: VOM, Compass Direct

Petition Officials

  • Isaias Afewerki

    President

    Mailing Address

    President Issayas Afewerki

    Office of the President

    PO Box 257

    Asmara, ERITREA

  • Gebrehiwet Solomon Berhane

    Charge d'Affaires

    Email Address

    Mailing Address

    Embassy of the State of Eritrea

    1708 New Hampshire Ave., NW

    Washington, DC 20009

    Other Contact Information

    Telephone: (202)319-1991

    Fax: (202)319-1304

  • Sophia Tesfamariam Yohann

    Her Excellency

    Mailing Address

    Could Not Confirm

    Other Contact Information

    Telephone: (212) 687-3390