Photo: VOMC
Police in the Shu district of southern Kazakhstan raided four worship gatherings during the months of March and April, resulting in a total of seven fines being laid. During the raids, officers filmed those who were present and demanded that they provide written statements explaining the reasons for their gatherings. These raids affected the worship activities of three unregistered Protestant churches.
On the morning of March 3rd, police invaded the home of Valter Mirau, whose residence is located in the village of Koneyeva, just before he and his fellow church members were about to begin their Sunday worship meeting. Valter was issued a fine for his "leadership of an unregistered, halted, or banned religious community or social organization." Two other church members who had attended the gathering were also fined.
In another incident, police raided a Council of Churches Baptist meeting that was led by Pastor Andrei Boiprav in the village of Shu on April 14th. While no fines were issued at the time, officers took photos and videos of the attending Christians and warned them to stop holding unregistered religious gatherings.
Police returned to Pastor Andrei's congregation on April 28th, claiming that they had received complaints from neighbours, though all nearby residents denied having contacted the authorities. One officer later appeared apologetic, explaining that the order had come from the Religious Affairs Department. Fines were issued against the congregants as a result of their involvement in an unregistered religious gathering. Immediately after raiding Pastor Andrei's church, officers moved on to another Protestant community in the village known as "the Children of God."
Religious groups in Kazakhstan are required by law to register with the government. However, the process to do so is very complex, expensive and restrictive. Some groups, such as those affiliated with the Council of Churches Baptist, choose not to register, sometimes due to concerns that it could lead to increased government interference – as was the case under the country's former Soviet rule. Further information on the persecution of our Christian brothers and sisters in Kazakhstan is available here.
Pray that God will grant wisdom, protection and encouragement to believers throughout Kazakhstan as they navigate how to best deal with opposing officials of the country's governing forces who are mandating the cease of all worship activities. May those directly affected by these recent raids not grow despondent in the face of opposition, but rather become further empowered to effectively live out their Christian faith and witness. As a result, may the Gospel message of God's love and saving grace spread throughout the country, leading many more people to eternal salvation through the provision of His Son Jesus – the Risen Saviour.
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