A pastor who died last week in Eritrea cannot be buried because he did not belong to a state-recognised religion, sources close to his family have told the BBC.
The Orthodox, Catholic and Evangelical Lutheran churches, along with Sunni Islam are the only religions officially accepted in the country.
Followers of other religions are subject to arrest, persecution and isolation – and all evangelical churches were banned in May 2002.
Pastor Tesfay Siyum, who died 11 days ago, was one of the founders of the evangelical Meserete Kristos church in Eritrea, a cleric now based in Ethiopia told the BBC.
He had been in jail because of his faith for more than 10 years and was released two months ago before dying at home in the capital, Asmara.
Religious freedom advocacy group Open Doors Canada blamed “bureaucracy” for the problems in getting permission for Pastor Tesfay’s burial.
His family has been denied permission to bury him in a public cemetery in Asmara and at a cemetery in his village of origin.
Relatives – including his wife and daughter – are reportedly in deep distress.
Burials in Eritrea are supposed to take place as soon as possible.
The information minister has not responded to a BBC request for comment.
