Fitsum-Berhan Gebrenegus
Additional Name(s): Futsum Gebrenegus
Gender: Male
Current Location: Wenjel Mermera Central Criminal Investigation Interrogation Center
Perpetrator: Eritrea
Religion or Belief: Christian – Orthodox
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Date of Detainment: November/18/2004
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Discussing Religion & Religious Texts Expression about Religion Religious Activity Religious Association
Fitsum-Berhan Gebrenegus
Extra Bio Info:
Fitsum-Berhan Gebrenegus is detained for his religious activity and leadership role.
In November 2004, Eritrean police authorities arrested Gebrenegus, an Eritrean Orthodox priest at the Mekane Hiwet Medhane-Alem Church, for leading an evangelical reform movement within the Orthodox church. Gebrenegus’ arrest came amid a sweep of crackdowns on evangelical pastors and leaders of the Medhane Alem (Savior of the World) renewal movement, following the ban of evangelical churches in 2002. Authorities confined him in Wengel Mermera Central Criminal Investigation Interrogation Center and held him incommunicado for over 20 years without charge or trial.
In late 2023, it was reported that Gebrenegus was in good health, though he had suffered in the past from mental health challenges. Prior to his detention, Gebrenegus was the senior physician at St Mary's Psychiatric Hospital in Asmara. He has one child and was unable to see his wife before she died of cancer during his imprisonment.
Publicly Available Information:
Dr Fitsum-Berhan Gebrenegus Prisoners of Faith
Futsum Gebrenegus Church in Chains
Fitsum-Berhan Gebrenegus The Voice of the Martyrs
Supporting imprisoned believers in their darkest hour Release International
Imprisoned church leaders in Eritrea desperately need your continuing prayers Open Doors
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