Eight Christians have languished in prison cells in the eastern African nation of Eritrea for between 18 and 21 years for simply following Christ. Despite public outcry and egregious violations of religious liberties, the nation refuses to release the Christians. Eritrean authorities routinely arrest and imprison Christians in horrific conditions under severe authoritarian rule. The nation recognizes only four religious groups within its borders: the Tewahedo Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, Evangelical Lutheran churches, and Sunni Islam. All other Christian denominations are unrecognized by the state.