A Catholic bishop from the south of Eritrea has been arrested in the capital Asmara, according to the religious news agency Fides.
Fikremariam Hagos, bishop of Segheneity, is being held in Adi Abeto prison near Asmara along with two priests, after being arrested at the airport while returning from Europe, it said.
The Catholic News Agency confirmed the arrests, citing a local source, saying the trio were accused of highlighting violations of human rights in Eritrea in their homilies.
The Vatican did not respond to a request for comment on the arrests.
Eritrea is one of the world's most closed nations with one of its most authoritarian governments.