At least 13 Christians in East Africa have been released from prison after being falsely imprisoned for a decade.

The Voice of the Martyrs (VOM), a ministry serving persecuted believers worldwide, confirmed the news of the group's release.

According to CBN News, VOM sent an email urging Christians to pray for the release of Pastor Haile Nayzgi and Dr. Kiflu Gebremeskel, two church leaders based in Eritrea. On July 22nd, it marked 7,000 days and nights of imprisonment since their arrest in 2004. Additionally, an estimated 400 Christians were jailed for preaching the gospel.

In response to the email, more than 10,000 people responded to the petition. Although the pastors weren't released, 13 Christians were freed six days later. The two pastors were part of the Full Gospel Church in Eritrea before the government shut down most churches in the country in 2002.

"They've never had a lawyer. They don't know how long they'll be in prison. There is no prison sentence. They just disappeared into the Eritrean prison system," VOM radio host Todd Nettleton told CBN's The Global Lane last month.

Amid the release of the 13 Christians, Nettleton encouraged believers to continue praying for those who remain imprisoned, including the two pastors.

"There are still more than 300 Christians in Eritrean prisons," he stated in a press release. "Don't stop being a voice for them to the Eritrean embassy. Go today and add your name to the list of those who are committed to praying. Share it with a friend. Share it with your whole church. Share it with your whole Bible study group. Share it with somebody who will join you to pray for more prisoners to be released, including Pastor Haile and Dr. Kiflu."

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