Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ASMARA441
2008-09-05 07:41:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
GSE ARRESTS 38TH CHRISTIAN LEADER
how-toVZCZCXRO5966 RR RUEHROV DE RUEHAE #0441 2490741 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 050741Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9884 INFO RUCNIAD/IGAD COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC RUEAIIA/CIA WAAHAC RUEKDIA/DIAIWASHDC RUEPADJ/CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ RHRMDAB/COMUSNAVCENT RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
C O N F I D E N T I A L ASMARA 000441
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR AF/E AND DRL/IRF
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2018
TAGS: KIRF PHUM PGOV ER
SUBJECT: GSE ARRESTS 38TH CHRISTIAN LEADER
REF: ASMARA 429
Classified By: CDA Melinda Tabler-Stone for reason 1.4(d).
(C) A reliable Embassy source informed PolOff that GSE
officials arrested Father Mengisteab of the Franciscan St.
Anthony Church late August. He is reportedly being held in
the Adi Abeto prison, a transit point for prisoners destined
for the Wi'a military prison camp. The source was unsure why
the GSE targeted Father Mengisteab but speculated it was
because St. Anthony Church is known for selling religious
trinkets, including rosary beads and other Catholic
paraphanelia. Father Mengisteab's reported arrest coincides
with current rumors that the GSE is invading households of
Jehovah's Witnesses and confiscating anything of value. To
date, there are 37 Christian pastors and other Christian
leaders in prison, Father Mengisteab being the 38th. The
arrest does not appear to be connected to the mass round-up
of NGO employees (reftel),though is consistent with GSE
habit of periodically arresting, detaining, and harassing
religious officials.
TABLER-STONE