Teklemaryam Merkhazion, Official of Eritrea Orthodox Tewahdo Church in Jail
8 Oct 2004
Mr Teklemariam Merkehazion is a 62 year old official at the Orthodox Tewahdo Church was summoned for questioning by government security agents last April. His family, relatives and close friends are still looking for him but no one seems to know about his whereabouts at the moment.
A reliable source informed Asmarino.com that Mr Teklemariam Merkhazion worked for the Eritrea Orthodox Tewahdo Church (membere-p’pesna) as chief editor of its two religious publications – ‘fnote berhan’ and ‘bsrate-geEzan ’ since 1994. He is an experienced journalist and writer who authored several challenging articles some of which were publicly posted on Eritrean websites. Mr T. Merkhazion was a known defendant of the Church’s autonomy, and many of his colleagues bear witness to the challenges he posed to the Patriarchy on issues with regards to staying clear of government influence. During the last ten years he struggled a lot as he was targeted by government officials and those officials within the Patriarchy who were under direct government control.
Mr Dragon Hailemelekot, the government official who was responsible for Religion and Faith Affairs until recently, was one of his main antagonists. Mr Hailemelkot applied pressure to the Patriarchy to have Mr Teklemariam Merkhazion act according to government wishes. Reportedly, Mr Hailemelkot’s successor, Mr Yeft-he Dimetros, openly attacked Mr T Merkhazion in church circles. Finally, in 2002 he was asked to leave his post.
On 22 April 2004, Mr Teklemariam Merkhazion was summoned for questioning by government security officials and never heard of since then. His wife, Ms Fana has reportedly given up hope after looking for her husband in every police station in Asmara.
Mr Teklemariam Merkhazion used to live in Germany before he moved to Eritrea in 1994. He was impressed by the efforts that were being invested into the country which in turn inspired him to dedicate the rest of his life in the works of church-journalism and the reconstruction of the Eritrea Orthodox Tewahdo Church.
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