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Azerbaijan

• Update: Baptist Military Conscript Receives Suspended Sentence in Nagorno-Karabakh

  A Baptist man, Gagik Mirzoyan, received a suspended sentence on July 7 after he refused to swear the military oath or serve with weapons when he was called to serve in the unrecognized republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, internationally considered part of Azerbaijan.  In April, VOMC reported that Mirzoyan had been beaten and given ten days detention for sharing his faith (click here for details).

  Mirzoyan is now back with his military unit in the Hadrut district where he is under "special supervision."  He is not under any particular pressure at this point.  Historically, Baptists in much of the former Soviet Union are pacifists in doctrine, but this has not prevented believers such as Mirzoyan from being conscripted into military service.

  Pray that Mirzoyan will be free to practice his faith without further harassment or punishment. 

  For more information on the difficulties facing Christians in the region,click here.

• Soldier Beaten and Imprisoned for Sharing His Faith

  In December 2004, Gagik Mirzoyan, a Baptist Christian, was called to serve in the army of the unrecognized Azerbaijani breakaway republic of Nagorno-Karabakh.  According to Forum 18, he refused to bear arms or swear the military oath because of his beliefs.  Most Baptists in the former Soviet Union are pacifistic in doctrine. After reportedly being beaten, the army eventually agreed to transfer him to a non-combat role. 

  On April 14, family members told Forum 18 that Mirzoyan had been beaten and put in detention for ten days as punishment for sharing his faith with other soldiers and possessing various Christian calendars.

  On April 11, relatives attempted to visit Mirzoyan.  They reported that the "results of beatings" were visible on his face.  Military personnel told the visitors that Mirzoyan would be freed the next day.  However, the next day, he remained under detention and was threatened with two years in prison.  He has since been transferred to an unknown location.

  Pray for safety and endurance in the face of persecution.  Pray for his family, as they deal with their uncertainties and fears.

  For more information on Azerbaijan and the difficulties facing Christians there,click here.

• Birth Certificate Issued with Christian Name

  On December 8, The Voice of the Martyrs reported on the story of 18-month-old Luka Eyvazov who was refused a birth certificate because of his Christian name.  He is not the first baby born in Azerbaijan to be denied a birth certificate because the parents had not chosen an "Azerbaijani" name.  On January 10, Forum 18 issued an update that the parents have received the birth certificate.  In an unusual turn of events, Luka's mother told Forum 18 that they even received an apology "for making us wait and suffer for so long."

  Situations like this demonstrate the continued pressure weighing on Christians in Azerbaijan, as authorities seem to systematically oppress Christians.  Thank God for this victory and pray that Christians will be free to practice their faith in Azerbaijan.

  For more information on the challenges endured by Christians in Azerbaijan,click here.

• Birth Registration Refused

  Eighteen-month-old Luka Eyvazov does not officially exist because Azerbaijani authorities refuse to issue a birth certificate for children with Christian names.  Speaking to Forum 18, a Christian working in the legal field said, "You can call your child 'Communist' or 'Tractor.' Why not a Christian name?"  When the parents attempted to register their son's birth, they were told to select an Azerbaijani name instead of naming him Luka (Luke).  Other Christians told Forum 18 of similar problems registering names from the Bible, often taking months and several appeals before the birth certificate is issued.  Following inquiries from Forum 18, Mehman Soltanov of the Justice Ministry's civil registration department told them that the Eyvazov couple should try again and they would now be able to receive the birth certificate.

  Legal issues like this, while not a matter of life and death, cause considerable difficulties for Christians in Azerbaijan and many other countries around the world.  Pray for patience and peace for Christians facing these types of challenges on a daily basis.

  For more information on the difficulties facing Christians in Azerbaijan , click here.  The Voice of the Martyrs has been aggressively working in Muslim countries since 1991 with a special emphasis on printing, video duplication and Christian radio and television.  The December edition of The Voice of the Martyrs' newsletter focuses on how God has provided the means for local Christians to evangelize their Muslim neighbors. 

   

• Adventist Church Raided

  At the same time that a delegation from the Council of Europe was visiting Azerbaijan to examine the country's human rights commitments, Azerbaijan's lack of religious freedom was demonstrated as police raided a Seventh Day Adventist church in Gäncä on November 20. According to Forum 18, fifteen police officers raided the church, bringing along a film crew from the Azerbaijan News Service.  Despite protests from the parents, the journalists interviewed the children present at the service, asking if they had been forced to attend against their will.  The police then detained two church leaders, Rustam Akhmedov and Vidadi Huseinov, interrogating them and threatening to deport Akhmedov, a Moldovan citizen with a temporary residence permit.  After two hours, they released the men but warned Akhmedov that he would be deported if he led any further religious services.

  Pray for the continued work of Christ's Church in Azerbaijan , despite opposition from the authorities.  Pray that the government will respect the rights of all people living in the country.

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

• Pastor Flees After Police Refuse Protection

  Nakhichevan is separated from the rest of Azerbaijan, surrounded by Armenia.

  Pastor Khalid Babaev had received three separate phone calls within a week, threatening his life if he continued to hold services for the small Adventist church meeting in his home in Nakhichevan. Then, on February 25, five men came to his home and told him that, as Muslims, they were prepared to "sacrifice him as a holy duty." The threats are likely in reference to the coming holy day of Ashura, during which Shiite Muslims remember the martyrdom of Muhammad's grandson Husayn in 680.

  According to reports from Forum 18, when Pastor Babaev contacted police, they refused to help, saying, "We can't stand guard by every front door and can't listen in to every phone call."

  Receiving no help from the authorities, Pastor Babaev and his family fled on February 27 after the five men returned. When Forum 18 contacted Idris Abbasov, head of the Nakhichevan branch of the State Committee for Work with Religious Organizations, he said his office was investigating the claim, but denied that there were people in Nakhichevan who did not want Adventists in the community, saying, "I don't know that there are people here who hate others for religious reasons."

  Pray for protection for Pastor Babaev and his family, as well as the seventeen members of the small church who are now unable to meet for worship. Pray that the church will find a way to continue meeting together.

  For more information on persecution in Azerbaijan,click here.

• Police Accuse Pastor of Being a Traitor

  Telman Aliev, pastor of a Baptist congregation in Neftchala, Azerbaijan, has been facing regular abuse and threats from local police since he began coming to the town to lead church services in May 2003. Ilya Zenchenko, head of the Baptist Union in Azerbaijan, told Forum 18 that the deputy head of the local police had threatened to drive Aliev out of town, banning him from visiting and insulting him as a "traitor" for having adopted Christianity.

  Asadov denies these allegations, saying that Aliev is free to come to the town to conduct services, but only if the church registers. Though Azerbaijani law does not require churches to register with the government, the Neftchala church would like to register. However, Baptist churches throughout Azerbaijan have experienced great difficulty in doing so. To date, only three Baptist congregations have successfully registered.

  A senior local official has promised to help the church, saying that police will be summoned and questioned about their harassment. Pray that he will be successful in stopping the actions of the local police against this church. Pray that the ministry of this church will reach out to many in the town and surrounding area.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Azerbaijan, go to theAzerbaijan Country Report.