A lawyer for the two South Sudanese pastors arrested in Khartoum said the evidence that has been presented against his clients was obtained illegally.

Ahmed Siber, member of the defense team, told Radio Tamazuj they had exhausted four court sessions in which the investigator was heard by the defense team and prosecution on Sunday and Monday.

“We listened to the investigator, and we also cross-examined him on Monday, so he showed his exhibits and documents about the two pastors,” he said.

“He presented four laptops, one iPad, and flash belonging to the two pastors. Pastor Yat’s sermon recorded at the church on Sunday worship service was also one of the evidence provided by the investigator,” he added.

The attorney said the two pastor’s belongings were inspected by the National Security and Intelligence Service without any permission. Siber added any evidence found inside their belongings will never be considered by the court according to the Sudanese laws.

He pledged that the case will be clear after hearing the prosecution witness in the coming sitting, and said the evidence presented thus far is not sufficient for a conviction.

“Preaching for Christianity is normal. It is not a crime to preach for your religion. The maps of villages and population that were found in their belongings are normal things because they are available on Google. As pastors they should know all those details so that they can work smoothly,” he explained.

Conviction could lead to death

The charges against the two pastors include: undermining the constitutional system (article 50 of the penal code), spying for outsiders (article 53), collecting and leaking information to the detriment of Sudanese national security  (article 55), inciting religious sedition and sectarian and tribal hatred between denominations (article 64), undermining public order (article 69), insulting religious beliefs (article 125), and complicity in committing crimes with other bodies (article 21).

A conviction of undermining the constitutional system could result in the death penalty, according to the defence lawyer.

Yat Michael and Peter Yein, both pastors of South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church, have remained in jail for over five months.

On 21 December last year, Reverend Yat Michael Ruot, a visiting South Sudanese pastor from Juba, was arrested after Sunday worship. Rev. David Yein Reith of the Presbyterian Evangelical Church was also arrested on 9 January as he returned to his home at the Gerif West Bible School in Khartoum from a prayer meeting.

His arrest may have been linked to a letter he delivered to the Office of Religious Affairs in Khartoum to inquire about the arrest of Pastor Yat Michael, according to his relatives.