The imprisoned South Sudanese Pastors have arrived back home in Juba after the lifting of the travel ban that was placed on them just after they were discharged from eight-month incarceration that ended on August 5.
Peter Yein Reith, 36, and Yat Michael, 49, were falsely charged with capital crimes in Sudan, and held for "participating in a criminal organization," "disturbing public peace," spying, insulting religious creeds, and execution of criminal conspiracy. The allegations were severe enough to be punishable by death, life imprisonment, property confiscation, and up to 40 lashes.
However, the judge later released the Pastors after ruling them guilty of lesser crimes, and said that the time they had spent in jail was enough for their punishment. A day later, as they were leaving for Juba, they were banned from leaving the country by Sudan's National Intelligence and Security Services (NISS) on unspecified ground. Later, the ban over their travel was lifted for as much of undefined reasons.
As Michael and Reith arrived at Juba International Airport, they were escorted to a church in Hai Jebel for a thanksgiving service.
"Thank God for their arrival home," Michael's wife told the Morning Star News, which had investigated and broke the news of the pastors' arrest.
"This is a great day for our pastors," a church member told the Radio Tamazuj.
Expressing relief over his release from prison, Pastor Michael said, "I am feeling free because I was in jail for many months... I have become like I'm born again."
"We are very happy now we are free because of your prayers," both of the pastors told the American Center for Law and Justice. "Thank you for all that you have done for us. God heard your prayers and we are free! With the help of [our attorney] Mohaned [Mustafa] and his team, they do great work for us and God uses him."
Michael was apprehended in December when he went to strengthen Khartoum Bahri Evangelical Church, which is frequently harassed by government and threatened with demolition as it is claimed by Muslim investors who want to take it over.
In the aftermath of Michael's arrest, Reith went to inquire about him to the Police with a letter from the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SSPEC), when he too was imprisoned on false charges.
Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has promised to implement a strict version of sharia law and acknowledge Islamic culture and the Arabic language only.
The country started bulldozing Christian worship centers and expelling Christians since 2012, claiming that they were now citizens of South Sudan. The Minister of Guidance and Endowments said in 2013 that licenses for new church buildings will not be granted.
