Sudanese pastor escapes death penalty - for now

A pastor in Sudan facing a death sentence has been freed from prison after being acquitted in court.  

Pastor Kuwa Shamaal, head of the Sudanese Church of Christ, had been imprisoned with three other Christians, including two other Sudanese pastors and a Czech Christian aid worker since May 2016. 

The three others remain in prison. 

William Stark with International Christian Concern says Pastor Shamaal was accused of espionage, inciting violence, gathering false news, and waging war against the state. 

Although the pastor has been freed, Stark fears Shamaal could be arrested again because that has happened over the last two years.  

Meanwhile, Stark tells OneNewsNow they are praying and advocating for the release of the other three.

"We call on the international community," he says, "to continue pressuring the Sudanese government to release Jasek, Hassan, and Abdumawla while refraining from re-arresting Pastor Shamaal and other Christian leaders in Sudan."