The defence team of two South Sudanese pastors facing trial for espionage in Sudan have closed their case, and campaigners remain hopeful that they will be acquitted of all charges.
Rev Yat Michael and Rev David Yein Reith (also named as Peter Yein Reith in some reports) are being held on six charges including espionage, "offending Islamic beliefs", promoting hatred amongst sects and undermining the constitutional system. They could face the death penalty or life imprisonment if found guilty. They both maintain their innocence.
According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), two witnesses were presented at yesterday's hearing in Khartoum. Ex-army general and 2010 presidential candidate, Abdul Aziz Khalid, testified that the charges of security and espionage are without basis. Evidence presented by the prosecution was available to the public, Khalid told the court.
Michael was arrested on December 14, 2014, and Reith in January of this year. They were both detained without charges, and without access to a lawyer or their families, until March 1. Ahead of yesterday's hearing, they were denied access to their legal team, despite promises that they would be allowed a 15 minute briefing with their lawyer, Mohaned Mustafa.
The pastors have also been denied regular visits from relatives, which is illegal under the Sudanese constitution. "This is meant to put more psychological pressures and warfare on the arrested pastors," a legal representative told World Watch Monitor.
Michael and Reith will return to court for another hearing on July 23, where closing statements will be given. A verdict is expected on August 5.
Mervyn Thomas, chief executive of CSW, said of yesterday's hearing: "The court heard from a prominent expert witness that there is no basis for the charges against the pastors. We therefore renew our call for these unwarranted and extreme charges to be dropped and for Rev Yat Michael and Rev Peter Reith to be released unconditionally and without further delay.
"The ongoing denial of access to the pastors' legal team is unacceptable and in violation of fair trial principles, as articulated in Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Sudan is a party. The denial of family visits is a further measure to increase their mental and emotional distress; a cruel and unjust action on the part of the State.
"We urge the African Union in particular, and the wider international community, to challenge Sudan on its treatment of the pastors and its failure to protect and promote freedom of religion or belief and the right to a fair trial."
