But trouble lay ahead. As the year progressed, radio broadcasts angrily condemned Jehovah’s Witnesses. More than 20 apostates cooperated with the clergy, helping them to write slanderous articles.

In one area, police entered a meeting hall, confiscated 70 Bibles, and briefly detained some Witnesses. Subsequently, the Kingdom Hall in Asmara was closed, forcing the congregation to meet in small groups again.

Persecuted but Not Left in the Lurch

Opposition did not stop. In 1972 the police called in several brothers for questioning and warned that action would be taken if their activity did not cease. Then, on August 27, 1972, big trucks arrived at the locations of the regular Sunday meetings; the police arrested 208 Witnesses and interested persons. In one congregation the speaker was discussing Ezekiel’s prophecy of Gog’s (Satan’s) attack and asked: “What would you say if police came here to arrest us?” Curiously, this very thing happened a few minutes later!

Police herded 59 brothers into a bug-infested room about nine feet [3 m] square. They squeezed 46 sisters into another room of similar size. They forced the others to sleep in the cold outside. Bail was denied. So was defense counsel. Though the brothers gave a fine witness to prison officials, 96 were sentenced to six months in prison. A few days later and after having their hair shaved off, they were released on bail.

The remaining 112 were charged with establishing an illegal religious association and given six-month prison sentences. After one month these brothers were released on bail. Later they were again called to court, reimprisoned, and subsequently released on bail after 12 days. Almost one year after the first imprisonment, the High Court heard the appeal and upheld the decision of the lower court but suspended the sentence with stern warnings. The Witnesses had been persecuted but not left in the lurch. (2 Cor. 4:9) Meanwhile, during their time in prison, the brothers preached fearlessly and helped to the point of dedication two prisoners who were serving a life sentence.