Stops contributions to church after Säpo's alarm
Säpo believes that there is a risk that the Eritrean Orthodox Church violates the freedoms and rights of individuals on behalf of the regime. Archive image.Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT
The Eritrean Orthodox Church in Sweden is losing its government funding, reports Sveriges Radio. The Agency for Support to Religious Communities is withdrawing the funding following a statement from Säpo.
According to the Swedish Security Service (Säpo), there is a risk that the Eritrean Orthodox Church, on behalf of the Eritrean state, violates the freedoms and rights of individuals in Sweden and that state subsidies to the church may indirectly support the Eritrean regime.
The church responds in a statement that they follow Swedish law and that they deny Säpo's accusations.
The Eritrean Orthodox Church in Sweden has received a government grant of around 800,000 kronor per year.
Eritrean Orthodox Church loses state subsidy - Ekot