Sudanese Christian Released After Over a Year in Detention

Amin Ismail, a Sudanese Christian, was released from Kobar Prison in Khartoum on October 23, 2026, after being detained for more than a year. According to International Christian Concern (ICC), Ismail was arrested in July 2025 shortly after returning to the capital to visit his wife. Despite courts repeatedly finding him innocent of the charges brought against him, he remained incarcerated for fifteen months.

ICC reports that Ismail’s imprisonment was linked to ongoing efforts by authorities to seize church property, a conflict that previously forced his father, Pastor Ismail Azzaz, into exile. The organization noted that the family has faced significant pressure, including threats and legal harassment, as part of a broader pattern of state attempts to control church assets. While Ismail has expressed gratitude for his release, he remains in Khartoum, where his safety is considered uncertain due to alleged threats against his life.

Pastor Azzaz has welcomed his son's release while continuing to express concern for the family's security. ICC has requested ongoing prayers for the family as they seek a safe departure from the capital.