Hassan Abduraheem Kodi Taour (pictured left) and Abdulmonem Abdumawla (pictured centre) have been released from prison!

The two men were released from prison this afternoon (local time in Sudan, 11 May 2017) after a presidential pardon.

They were arrested in December 2015 with Kuwa Shamal Abazmam Kurri and Petr Jasek (pictured right), a Czech national. All four were charged with 'espionage', 'inciting strife between communities' and several other offences.

On 29 January 2017 Hassan and Abdulmonem were each sentenced to ten years' imprisonment for abetting Petr in the crime of espionage, and to one year's imprisonment each for inciting strife between communities and spreading rumours undermining the authority of the state (even though the legal maximum penalty for this last crime is six months' imprisonment). All of these sentences were to be served consecutively. Since that date they have been serving their sentences in prison while their lawyers appealed against the verdict.

Kuwa was acquitted on 2 January 2017, and Petr received a presidential pardon and left Sudan on 26 February.

Christians in Sudan rejoice at their release and request prayer.