A relative of Fikadu Debesay, an evangelical mother of three who died while imprisoned in Metkel Abiet, a desert camp in the Northern Red Sea Region, told Morning Star News that it is likely that some form of "mistreatment" could have contributed to her death.
The relative, who attended Debesay's burial on 10th August, stated that mourners saw a scar on her face and another scar on her left hand. The relative noted that the scars "could have been a sign of some mistreatment or intense sunburn that resulted to her untimely death".
Although the cause of her death is still unknown, the camp where she was kept is in an area known for its heat and dryness.
The relative, who is now looking after Debesay's children, said it has been "very difficult consoling the children".
The relative went on to say: "They want to know what happened to their mother."
Debesay was arrested with her husband in May during raids which targeted Evangelical Christians in Eritrea.
Release International said during the government crackdown on evangelical Christians in the East African country, security forces arrested 200 Christians in house-to-house raids, ripping children apart from their parents.
Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a religious freedom charity, has urged the international community to ensure that the government and its officials are made to account for the crimes perpetrated against Eritrean citizens.
In May 2002, the Eritrean government outlawed religious practices not affiliated with the Catholic, Evangelical Lutheran and Orthodox Christian denominations or Sunni Islam.
