THE trial in Khartoum of three Christians charged with multiple offences, two of which carry the death penalty, continued this week.

The Revd Hassan Abduraheem and Abdulmonem Abdumawla have been detained in Sudan since December. The Revd Kuwa Shamal has been held since May.

The men are accused of at least seven crimes, including waging war against the state, and espionage, the religious-freedom charity Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports (News, 26 August). The maximum penalty for both is death.

Mr Abduraheem, a senior minister and Vice-Moderator of the Sudan Church of Christ, and Mr Abdumawla were detained after raising money to help pay the medical costs of a young Darfuri man, who was injured during a demonstration at the Quran Karim University, in Omdurman.

The case against Mr Shamal, who is head of the Sudan Church of Christ Missions Committee, is believed to be related to his friendship with Mr Abduraheem, and his senior position in the Sudan Church of Christ.

During hearings on 29 August, 1 September, and 5 September the prosecutor gave the case investigator the opportunity to outline the evidence allegedly gathered against the men.

The chief executive of CWS, Mervyn Thomas, welcomed the decision to allow the men to have visits from their family and legal representatives. “These men have committed no crime,” he said.