A Presbyterian pastor and four other Christians have been arrested in North Khartoum, Sudan, as concerns grow over renewed religious persecution in the war-torn nation.

Pastor Peter Perpeny of the Presbyterian Church of Sudan was detained on August 16 along with four South Sudanese believers while gathering for a funeral prayer in the El-Haj Yousif area of East Nile District.

Authorities allege the group was in the country illegally, but no formal charges or deportation orders have been issued.

The Christians are currently being held in Omdurman Prison, where at least one detainee has reportedly been told to pay 600,000 Sudanese pounds (about $790) or face six months in jail.

Local church leaders have described the payment as a “bribe” and believe the arrests are part of a wider crackdown on Christian foreigners, including door-to-door raids by security forces.

The area where the arrests took place is a stronghold of the Rapid Support Forces, a paramilitary group accused of targeting churches and Christian communities amid ongoing conflict with the Sudanese Armed Forces. Both factions have Islamist ties and have been linked to attacks on places of worship.

Sudan currently ranks No. 5 on Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most persecution.

Many believers remain trapped in the midst of ongoing civil unrest, unable to flee.

Church leaders are calling for urgent prayer and international advocacy as Christians face increasing danger for their faith in Sudan.