Sudan Imprisons Czech Filmmaker and Missionary for Documenting Christian Persecution

By Carlo Monzon
Christian Persecution in Sudan
Screenshot from news coverage on bombings on Christian communities in Sudan Youtube / Christian Broadcasting Network

Petr Jasek, a filmmaker and missionary from the Czech Republic has been imprisoned in Sudan since December of last year. His crime, according to Sudanese authorities, is filming the ongoing Christian persecution in the country.

According to the Prague Daily Monitor, Jasek traveled to Sudan with the help of the U.S.-based organization Voice of Martyrs with the intention to document the persecutions of Christians in the country. However, he was apprehended by authorities and thrown in jail and is scheduled for a hearing this month.

One of the pieces of evidence that will be used against him is his documentary film. One of the scenes in it showed a Sudanese Christian who had burned wounds on his body. As Jasek noted, the man got injured after he was beaten by Muslims because of his religion.

However, when questioned by authorities, the man said that Jasek misinterpreted what he said. The man then noted that he sustained his injuries after being involved in a vehicular accident.

Aside from documenting the persecution, Jasek was also charged with illegally crossing the borders of Sudan and South Sudan. If found guilty, the filmmaker will likely face harsh punishments since he violated one of the provisions of the country's traditional Islamic Sharia law.

Since his imprisonment last year, Czech diplomats have been negotiating with Sudan authorities regarding his release. However, they declined to mention specific details regarding the case to avoid complicating the upcoming trail.

"I can only say we have been dealing with a consular case in Sudan," Michaela Lagronova, the spokesperson for the Czech Foreign Ministry said in a statement according to the Christian Times.

Jasek is only one of the many Christians in the country who have been imprisoned due to charges related to their religious beliefs.

According to Breitbart, in July of last year, two pastors in the country were sentenced to death. Sudanese authorities alleged that the two men committed various offenses. Thankfully, both were released in the same year with the help of international intervention.

Also, in 2014, Mariam Ibrahim was also given the death sentence for renouncing Islam and converting to Christianity. She was also accused of committing adultery because the court did not recognize her marriage to a Christian American.

The cases against her were eventually dropped which then allowed her to travel to the U.S. and escape persecution in Sudan.

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo