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Uzbekistan

• Two Churches Closed

  Uzbekistan's Justice Ministry has announced the closure of two officially-registered churches in the ancient city of Samarqand.  The churches are accused of violating laws governing religious organizations by "illegally proselytizing among local residents."

  According to a May 19 report from Forum 18, the Seventh Day Adventist church had violated the law by conducting services in private homes, allowing children to participate in "missionary religious events" without permission of their parents and consistently discussing "missionary work" during weekly meetings.  The church is also accused of reporting "untrue data about the sources of finance."

  Forum 18 also reported on the closure of the Miral Protestant Church that is accused of not holding regular general meetings of all members, not holding elections for the pastor and not properly filing reports.  The church's Korean pastor, Li Syn Ryul, is also accused of conducting "illegal missionary activity" together with his wife in an effort to attract the local population to Christianity.

  Both churches have faced fines in the past because of their "illegal" activities.

  Thank God for the faithfulness of those who continue to proclaim the gospel when it is illegal to do so. Pray that they will find the Lord to be their strength as they remain faithful in their witness (2 Timothy 4:17). Ask God to move in the hearts of Uzbekistan's government leaders to allow Christians to meet unhindered.

  For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Uzbekistan,click here.

• Easter Service Raided in Nukus

  In July 2005, authorities in the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan in Uzbekistan revoked the registration of the Emmanuel Full Gospel Church in Nukus (click here for more details).  Members of the congregation gathered at the Khoja Hotel on April 30 for an Easter celebration when as many as fifty police officers stormed the meeting.  According to Forum 18, police demanded that everyone there write a statement, as they were issuing threats and frightening young children present. On the same day, police also raided land owned by the church.  The caretaker, Azat Kaldybekov was severely beaten and is being treated for a broken arm.  The Karakalpakstan Justice Ministry is demanding that the property be turned over to the government.

  In the wake of the raids, children who were present at the Easter service are being summoned to the Prosecutor's Office where they are being pressured to sign statements renouncing their faith and saying they will no longer attend Christian meetings. Parents are being pressured to give statements that they will no longer "attract their children to Christianity." Failure to comply could mean their children will be taken from them.

  Pray that Azat Kaldybekov will soon recover from his injuries. Pray that these believers, regardless of their age, will not give in to fear but will stand firm in the faith (2 Timothy 1:7). Ask God to work in the minds of those in authority to allow Christians to meet freely and maintain Christian homes. Pray that these believers will rely on the Holy Spirit's wisdom in answering their accusers (Luke 12:12).

  For more information on persecution of Christians in Uzbekistan,click here.
• Charged for Teaching Religion

  A pastor and another church member from Urgench, Uzbekistan have been arrested and charged with teaching religion, according to a May 2 report from Compass Direct.  On April 24, Pastor Lunkin Sergey of the Union of Independent Churches was having lunch in his home with eleven other Christians when police officers burst in.  They confiscated Sergey's computer and all of his Christian literature.  Another church member, Chursin Vasily, was also detained and his digital camera and laptop computer were confiscated.  A court decision on the case is expected soon.

  In a separate incident in the Uzbek capital of Tashkent, three Protestant Christians were arrested on April 21 while caring for patients at a tuberculosis hospital for children.  One of three has been formally charged with violating administrative laws against teaching religion.

  Pray that those charged will know the direction of the Holy Spirit as they stand before their accusers (Luke 12:11). Pray that all charges against these believers will be dropped.

  For more information on Uzbekistan and the persecution facing Christians there,click here.

• Protestant Gatherings Raided

  A series of police raids across Uzbekistan in recent days further demonstrate the difficulties facing Christians in this former Soviet republic.

  According to a March 14 report from Forum 18, on February 26 approximately twenty police officers burst into a home in the town of Syr-Darya where nine Pentecostal Christians were holding a social gathering.  Musical instruments, New Testaments, and other religious literature were confiscated and those present were forced to sign written statements that they had gathered for an unauthorized religious meeting.  The next day, a judge found Pastor Viktor Melko and another member, Kurbona Abdieva, guilty of operating an unregistered church community.  Each was fined 25,000 Soms ($25.00 CDN), almost two weeks' salary.

  On February 11, police raided a home in the village of Kum Kurgan, where forty Protestants were meeting for worship.  Police recorded the names of each person present. For the next eighteen days, they were summoned to the police station for interrogation that continued each day from 6:00 a.m. until late in the evening.  Bibles and personal notes were confiscated from the Christians.  Authorities paid particular attention to Rosa Tsoi, who was visiting from Tashkent.  They threatened to charge her with illegal missionary activity.  Police took her Bible and passport.  They finally returned her passport but took 200,000 Soms ($200.00 CDN) from her as "security."

  On March 5, ten officers came into the Smak cafe in Tashkent.  They ordered nine Protestant Christians who were there to sign written statements that they had gathered for an unauthorized religious meeting.

  Missionary activity and unregistered religious communities are considered illegal in Uzbekistan.  Registration is not permitted for communities with less than one hundred members. As such, there is no way for smaller churches to register.  Religious literature for personal use is permitted, making the confiscation of Bibles (as noted above) illegal.

  Pray that the believers' hearts will be ruled by the peace of Christ as the Uzbek government steps up its attempts to control religious activities. Pray that the government leaders will uphold the religious rights that are officially recognized in Uzbekistan. Pray that Uzbek believers will entrust their lives into the hands of their loving heavenly Father.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Uzbekistan,click here.

• Pastor Faces Up to Three Years in Prison

  Mahmud Karabaev, pastor of the Full Gospel Pentecostal Church in the Uzbek town of Jizak (Jizzakh), faces up to three years in prison if convicted of "participation in the activity of an illegal religious organization."  According to a November 12 report from Forum 18, the charges against Karabaev stem from an informal meal he had with church members in his home on October 25.  Officers from the police, secret police officers and the prosecutor's office sealed the premises and ordered those present to give a written statement on the reason for their attendance.  While Uzbek law forbids any religious activity by unregistered churches, Karabaev insists they were merely drinking tea together. "It appears that believers are no longer permitted to visit each others' houses," he told Forum 18.

  Ask God to give Pastor Karabaev wisdom as he seeks the Lord's direction for him and his church. Pray that he will not be convicted of the charges and that he will be free to continue to minister to his flock. Ask God to open doors for these believers to meet; not only for the occasional meal, but for consistent worship services.

  For more information on Uzbekistan and the challenges facing Uzbek Christians,click here.
  (Source: Forum 18)

• Protestant Church Loses Appeal

  On July 5, the last legal Protestant church in the region of Karakalpakstan was closed after all religious activities by the Emmanuel Full Gospel Church were banned by the regional Justice Ministry (click here to read more).  The church appealed to the country's Supreme Court, which ruled on November 9 that the ban would remain unchanged.  According to a November 11 report from Forum 18, the church intends to continue its battle. To read more details,click here.

  (Source: Forum 18)

• Christian Reporter Detained and Deported from Uzbekistan

  The Central Asia correspondent for Forum 18 News Service, Igor Rotar, was detained for two days at the Tashkent airport before being deported from the country on August 13.  The ordeal began as Rotar, a Russian citizen, arrived in Uzbekistan on August 11 and his name appeared on a list of undesirable persons by the National Security Service (NSS).  Previously, he had been allowed to enter the country after border officials had contacted the NSS.  This time, however, he was detained and not allowed to cross the border checkpoint.  During his two-day detention, he was not allowed to contact the Russian embassy.  When he asked about the reason for his detention, he was told that it was for "political reasons at the highest levels." 

  Two NSS agents, posing as immigration officers, attempted to force him to buy a ticket out of the country.  He refused, demanding that he be allowed into the country or be officially deported.  One of the "immigration officers," Andrei Andreyevich, told Rotar that he would never be allowed into Uzbekistan. "By your libelous articles you have done great harm to Uzbekistan. The Uzbek nation's patience is exhausted," Andreyevich told him.

  When it was clear that Rotar would not purchase his own ticket out of Uzbekistan, he was given an official deportation order on August 13 and was put on a flight to Moscow.

  Thank God for Igor Rotar's safe release. Pray that God will continue to strengthen His Church in Uzbekistan.  Uzbekistan remains one of the most oppressed nations in the former Soviet bloc.  Pray that the voice of Uzbekistan's persecuted Christians will continue to be heard. For more information on the country and the challenges facing Christians there,click here.

• Charity Worker Faces Police Death Threats in Uzbekistan

  Marina Kalinkina, head of a registered charitable organisation Dustlig Kuprigi (Bridge of Friendship) has been facing harassment, a raid from the secret police, death threats, a large fine and the imprisonment of her father because of her religious beliefs, according to a July 19 report from Forum 18.

  The harassment began in early June when a meeting in her home was disrupted by local police who claimed that the meeting was an illegal religious gathering.  Marina and her father, Nail Kalinkin, were taken to the police station where they were interrogated.  Nail was also beaten, threatened and insulted.  Following this incident, Marina and Nail faced daily phone calls from National Security Service (NSS) officers, including death threats.

  On July 7, Marina was ordered to appear before the NSS for interrogation.  On the advice of lawyers, she did not go since there was no written summons.  On the morning of July 10, NSS officers appeared at her door, yelling at her before leaving a summons.  The next day she was interrogated for over two hours.  She was told she was participating in illegal charity work.  She was also warned that her treatment would be worse if she told international organizations about her suffering.

  Marina has taken her case to the district attorney's office in Tashkent.  They refused to assist when they heard that the secret police were involved.  Marina denies the accusations that she is conducting religious activities.  She insists that the mandate of Dustlig Kuprigi is to help the elderly and poor.  When police raided their meeting in June, they were celebrating the birthday of an elderly man they had been assisting. She admits to discussing religious issues with her guests, but insists that it was a private gathering and not a religious meeting.

  Pray that Marina and Nail will know God's strength as they face this continued harassment.  Pray for Christians throughout Uzbekistan who are facing persecution because of their faith in Christ.

  For more information on the persecution facing Christians in Uzbekistan,click here.

• Church Loses Court Appeal in Uzbekistan

  The last legal Protestant church in the autonomous region of Karakalpakstan (Qoraqalpoghiston) in northwestern Uzbekistan has lost their official registration on appeal.  According to a July 11 report from Forum 18, members of the Emmanuel Full Gospel Church had been appealing a ban on religious activities by the regional Justice Ministry.  On July 5, a court in the regional capital of Nukus rejected the appeal, closing the last legal church in the region.

  In 1998, a new religion law was passed in Karakalpakstan making any religious activity outside of an officially recognized church illegal.  Christians in the region are routinely harassed and pressured to leave Christianity.  In one recent case (June 29), a convert from Islam to Christianity, Daniyara Ibaidulayev, was beaten by his brother and another villager in the village of Yanboshkala in Tartkul district on the outskirts of Nukus.  The village administration has also cut off Ibaidulayev's gas supply and it has forbidden him to use water for growing food.  When Ibaidulayev appealed for help, the district's public prosecutor's office told him that his problems would all cease as soon as he returns to Islam.

  Pray for Ibaidulayev and others suffering for their faith in Uzbekistan.  Pray for Christians who must now meet in secret in order to continue worshipping Jesus Christ.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Uzbekistan,click here.

• Uzbek Christians Detained and Tortured for Their Faith

  On June 11, the body of 65-year-old Kim Khen Pen Khin was found on a street in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.  Kim was a U.S. citizen who had been working with Pentecostal churches in Uzbekistan.  Since her death, police investigations have centered on members of the Pentecostal churches.  However, according to Forum 18, it appears that police are more interested in the practices of the Christians than in finding the one responsible for Kim's death.

  Since Kim's death, seventeen church members have been questioned, sometimes for several hours.  According to one church member, "They were insulted, humiliated and threatened. Police spoke to them in the way you would not even speak to animals. Each day it is getting worse and worse."  Three members have been severely beaten, including a pastor who was treated for a concussion.  One of those arrested was told by a Lieutenant-Colonel of the police that "all Christians are animals who have sold themselves to America and should be shot as this is a Muslim state."  One church member, 19-year-old Kural Bekjanov, was originally accused of Kim's murder.  After two days, those charges were dropped but when police found out he was a Christian, the torture began. His ribs have been broken and needles were inserted under his fingernails in an attempt to make him renounce his faith in Christ.

  This is not an isolated incident.  In Termez on the southern border with Afghanistan, police arrested and severely beat the pastor of the church.  They then took the church members to see him and warned them that they would suffer the same fate.  In the western town of Urgench, the worship service on June 26 was raided by police and some of the members were detained for questioning.  The church has been trying to register for two years and the pastor had been discussing a new registration application with authorities the previous week.

  Pray for endurance for Christians throughout Uzbekistan facing mistreatment because of their faith in Jesus Christ.  Pray that authorities will see the love of Christ in the lives of those whom they arrest.  Pray that Christ's peace will reign in the hearts of every believer.

  For more information on Uzbekistan and the persecution facing Christians there,click here.