Tekleab Mengisteab
Gender: Male
Current Location: Wengel 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/19/2004
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: Yes
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment
Reason for Persecution: Expression about Religion Religious Instruction & Teaching
Tekleab Mengisteab
Extra Bio Info:
Tekleab Mengisteab is detained for his religious activity and beliefs.
He is an ordained minister and part of the renewal movement centered on the Medhane Alem (Saviour of the World) church in the Orthodox Church of Eritrea, a denomination the Eritrean government ostensibly allows to operate in the country. He is also a medical doctor. In 2000, he launched The Bread of Life magazine as a way to spread his gospel.
Government authorities arrested him on November 19, 2004. At the time of his arrest, he worked as a doctor specializing in Diabetes at the National Referral Hospital near his church. He has been held incommunicado since then, reportedly at the Wengel Mermera Central Criminal Investigation interrogation centre, part of Asmara’s 2nd Police Station. He has a wife and four children who live outside Eritrea.
Related Cases: Fitsum-Berhan Gebrenegus, Gebremedhin Gebregergis
Sources:
- "Tekleab Mengisteab" The Voice of the Martyrs
- "ERITREAN PASTOR'S DAUGHTER: "I Realized My Dad Wasn't Coming Home" VOM Radio
- "IMPRISONED ERITREAN PASTOR: 'Everything Done for the Glory of Christ Will Be For Eternity'" Bott Radio Network
- "Supporting imprisoned believers in their darkest hour" Release International