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Kazakhstan

• Churches Facing Administrative Charges in Kazakhstan

  Officials have brought administrative charges against two churches in Kazakhstan in recent weeks, according to an April 23 report from Forum 18.

  On April 21, the city of Atyrau's Prosecutor's Office brought charges against the Salem Church for holding "illegal" meetings under Article 374 part 1 of the Administrative Code, which punishes unregistered church activity. The charges are a response to a group of Russian-speaking church members meeting regularly in a private home instead of the church's registered address. The church's leader, however, stated that the Administrative Code allows such groups to meet in a member's private home, so long as important religious ceremonies - such as baptisms and weddings - are not conducted.

  Also in Atyrau, local authorities have asked the New Life Church to re-register since their old registration did not indicate a legal address. Since the church does not currently have a building, re-registering will be difficult as Kazakhstan's amended Religion Law demands that a church indicates a legal address. Church members fear that they will be subject to penalty because authorities will now consider their church activity "illegal."

  Pray for wisdom for these churches and their leaders as they face pressure and opposition from authorities (James 1:5). Pray that the Word of God will continue to spread throughout Kazakhstan.

  For more information on the persecution of Christians in Kazakhstan, go to theKazakhstan Country Report.

• Pastor Sentenced to Three Days

  In spite of a three-day administrative prison term for Pastor Fauzi Gubaidullin, his church vows to continue meeting, regardless of the consequences, according to a March 13 report from Forum 18. On March 7, Gubaidullin was sentenced for refusing to abide by a three-month ban imposed last year. His sentence began immediately and ended on March 10.

  The government ban came after the church, located in the city of Shymkent, refused to officially register with the government. The government insists that all churches must register. The Council of Churches Baptists, to which the church belongs, rejects compulsory government registration, viewing it as a way for the state to interfere in their internal affairs. Their position has received support from Kazakhstan's Human Rights Ombudsperson, Bolat Baikadamov.

  Pray for these and other Kazakh believers who are under pressure from authorities because of their faith. Pray that the Gospel of Christ will not be hindered but that it will continue to spread in the midst of this adversity. Pray that persecutors will come to know Christ's love, forgiveness and blessing through the lives of His people (Romans 12:14, 21).

  For more information on the challenges facing Christians in Kazakhstan,click here.

• Theological College Pressured to Close

  The District Prosecutor's office in Shymkent, Kazakhstan is attempting to have a Pentecostal theological college closed. The office contends that the college is operating illegally without a license from the Education Ministry. This action was taken in early July even though the Elim Seminary had applied for a license.

  Last year, similar action and a media campaign were taken against the Elim Seminary. At that time, the district court ruled that the law did not require a license for teaching in religious institutions. The law was changed, however, in May 2006. When the seminary heard about the changes, they immediately stopped teaching and applied for a license. Despite this action from the seminary, the Prosecutor's office is proceeding with their action, claiming that the seminary is continuing to teach.

  Pray that the truth about this situation would triumph. Pray that the license will be granted soon. Pray that the leaders of the seminary will use this as an opportunity to exemplify the character of Christ to those under their influence (1 Corinthians 4:16).

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

• Christians Face Prosecution

  Christians who belong to unregistered churches in Kazakhstan continue to face state intolerance as evidenced by two recent cases.

  In the city of Kulsary in western Kazakhstan, two Christians are facing prosecution for belonging to an unregistered religious community, according to a June 1 report from Forum 18. The two, Azat (last name unknown) and Taraz Samulyak, belong to a Protestant church that has attempted to register five times in the past five years. Azat previously had a large fine imposed on him, which he has appealed. Local authorities claim that Kulsary already has too many churches and that there is no need to register yet another one.

  In the town of Aktobe [Aqtöbe] in north-west Kazakhstan, an unregistered Baptist church has faced multiple raids, the latest on May 21. Pastor Andrei Grigoryev told Forum 18 that police video footage of the raids had been shown on a local television station, accompanied by hostile commentary against the church. Grigoryev was visited by a religious affairs official on May 29 who tried to pressure him into writing a statement about his activities. The official denied that Grigoryev was presently facing criminal charges, contrary to statements on television.

  When Forum 18 questioned Serozhatdin Baryshev, head of the regional Justice Department, on how the raids on the Aktobe church line up with international human rights agreements signed by Kazakhstan, Baryshev said, "International agreements are nothing to us - we're governed by the laws of the Republic of Kazakhstan." He then added, "You're going against the norms of the Kazakh nation."

  Pray that the Lord will work in the hearts of those in authority to allow believers to meet without the threat of legal action. Pray that the believers will be encouraged to continue to meet together despite opposition from authorities (Hebrews 10:25).

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

• Pastor Detained and House to Be Confiscated

  Last September, Baptist pastor Pyotr Panafidin was found guilty of leading an unregistered religious community and fined 101,955 tenge ($900 CDN).  This is almost four times the average monthly wage in Kazakhstan.  Since Panafidin was unwilling to pay such a large fine, the courts ordered the confiscation of his home in Taraz. On February 27, Panafidin was also sentenced to three days in prison.

  According to a March 1 report from Forum 18, authorities had not yet acted to confiscate the pastor's home.

  Pray that Pastor Panafidin will continue to share Christ boldly, regardless of the outcome of this situation. Pray that Pastor Panafidin, his wife, Katya, and their nine children will not be left homeless.

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

• Proposed Religion Law in Kazakhstan Prematurely Enforced

  Even though a harsh new religion law has not yet been passed in Kazakhstan, authorities are acting as though the new restrictions are already in force, according to a May 30 report from Forum 18.  Under the current legislation, churches do not require registration to operate, though they will if a controversial new law comes into effect.

  Nurulbek Jagalsbayev, pastor of a Kazakh-language Protestant church in the town of Atyrau in north-western Kazakhstan, is facing punishment for leading a church without state registration.  Speaking to Forum 18, an assistant to the prosecutor claimed that it was "impermissible for a church to operate without registration."

  In the village of Kamenka on the outskirts of Almaty, a new "akim" (head of administration) was recently appointed.  When the leaders of the New Life Protestant Church did not show him the respect he wanted by introducing themselves to him, he ordered the church closed.  According to eye witnesses, the "akim", Raspek Tolbayev, entered the church service on April 19 and began swearing and forcing the worshippers out.  Speaking to Forum 18 on May 26, Tolbayev said, "I'm not interested in whether the Protestants have registration or not. I am the district 'akim', and they have to come to me and introduce themselves."  The church's pastor, Pavel Gryaznov, claims that Tolbayev does not have the authority to close the church and so they have ignored his order.  "But he behaves like an autocratic landlord in this area and we don't know what will enter his head next," Gryaznov said.

  In the village of Krasnoyarka, 70 kilometres north of the capital Astana, young children who attend prayer meetings are being kept after school for "educational talks."  Eight-year-old children have been told that prayer is dangerous and may even cause death.  They are told that those who attend prayer meetings are being turned into zombies and "shahids" (a term used for suicide bombers). Olga Mozhayeva, head of the Education Department of Tselinograd district confirmed that the national Ministry of Education and Science has told teachers to try to stop schoolchildren from attending churches. Schools are encouraged to set up clubs and other activities "so that a child will have neither the time nor the desire to attend church."

  Pray for these and other Kazakh believers under pressure from authorities because of their faith.  Pray that the proposed new law will not come into effect and that authorities will allow freedom of worship.  Pray for parents as they work with these children who are being frightened into rejecting Christianity.  VOMC spokesman, Glenn Penner, has published a response to some of the actions by the Kazakh authorities in a weblog entitled "Dangerous Christians."  To read his commentary, or listen to the audio version, click here.

  For more information Kazakhstan and the pressure facing Christians there,click here.
• Pressure Increasing Against Churches

  This week, various reports have come out of Kazakhstan, demonstrating increasing pressure against unregistered religious groups in the country.  For churches who understood the suffering and oppression under the former Soviet Union, government registration means government control.  As a result, a significant number of Baptist churches refuse to register with the government.  However, authorities regularly fine those involved in such churches. Citing a belief that they need not justify their faith in God, some have refused to pay the fines levied against them. For Aleksei Boiko in the Nurinsk district, this has meant confiscation of property equivalent to the value of his fine.  In another case, according to a January 25 report from Forum 18, tax officials brought criminal charges against Andrei Lerner in December for refusing to pay a fine.

  The industrial city ofTemirtau

  Kazakh believers are also concerned about an incident that took place on January 18 when, according to a January 20 report from Forum 18, schoolchildren in the town of Temirtau in central Kazakhstan were forced to fill out a questionnaire about their religious beliefs and church attendance.  While no reason for the questionnaire was given, there are concerns that there may be ties to a directive given in late 2004 in the neighbouring Akmola region.  There, school directors were instructed to draw up a list of those students who attended houses of prayer and Sunday schools and to make those students attend "educational work."

  The increasing pressure on unregistered Kazakh Christians may possibly be related to a bill on extremism presently before Kazakhstan's parliament. While not defining "extremism," the draft legislation refers to the word "religious" ten times.

  Continue to pray for Christians in Kazakhstan.  Pray for the mind of Christ for those who must deal with these situations.

  For more information on the challenges facing Christians in Kazakhstan,click here.

• Christian Institutions Pressured to Close

  Two reports have come from Forum 18 in the past week, demonstrating the difficulties facing Christian organizations in Kazakhstan.

  The industrial city ofTemirtau

  In the northern Kazakh town of Temirtau, a Christian orphanage has been forced to virtually cease operations after government authorities complained about the conditions in the orphanage and claimed that it was not registered with state justice agencies.  Authorities claim to have inspected the Baptist-run Hope orphanage and found the conditions to be "atrocious."  This claim comes despite testimony from people in the town, as well as workers at a state-run orphanage in the same town, who claim the conditions at the Hope orphanage are much better than at their own institution.  The founder of the Baptist orphanage, Dmitri Yantsen, denied that registration is required, stating that other local orphanages are not registered and have not been bothered.  Yantsen and others believe the pressure against the orphanage is related to the increasing pressure against religious organizations in the country.

  In another development, in southern Kazakhstan, authorities have attempted to close a seminary operated by the South Korean-led Synbakyn Protestant church.  Most of the members of the church are ethnic Koreans.  The church was able to successfully argue that a church-run educational institution does not fall under the authority of the ministry of education and the seminary has been allowed to continue operations.

  Pray for Christians in Kazakhstan, as they face pressure from authorities.  Pray for peace and the knowledge of God's protecting presence in the midst of their difficulties.

  For more information on the situation facing Christians in Kazakhstan,click here.

• Ballet Teacher Faces Proselytism Charges

  Knowing the danger that a Protestant Christian could face from the authorities in Kazakhstan, ballet teacher Vladislav Polskikh attempted to be proactive in averting charges of proselytism. As a Christian, it was Polskikh's practice to begin his lessons with the word, "With God's help" and would dismiss his students saying "God be with you." Knowing this could cause offense, he had each of the parents sign a form, making them aware of his Protestant faith and saying that they would not object to religious expressions that may be used in the course of the lessons. However, according to an October 18 report from Forum 18, this form achieved the opposite result. Polskikh is accused of refusing to teach anyone who refused to sign the form, thus withholding a service based on religion; something he denies. Polskikh is accused of "corruption of [children's] objective interpretation of events and adoption of certain life values" and may face up to two years in prison.

  Please pray that charges against Polskikh will be dropped. Pray that he will find encouragement in the Lord and know His presence and glory resting on him.

  For more information on the challenges facing Christians in Kazakhstan,click here.

• Charges for Holding Services

  Pastor Sergei Nizhegorodtsev of Georgievka in eastern Kazakhstan is facing criminal charges for refusing to comply with a court-ordered ban on his church holding services. According to Forum 18 News Service, the notice of charges came on May 12, two weeks after police raided the church's Easter service. The pastor faces charges under Article 375 of the administrative code for refusing to register a religious community. This article contradicts Kazakhstan's religion law, which does not require registration. Nizhegorodtsev's church belongs to the International Council of Churches of Evangelical Christians/Baptists. This organization refuses to register their churches because of concerns about interference from secular authorities.

  On May 11, police raided a service in a private apartment in the port city of Turkmenbashi, Turkmenistan. They threatened to confiscate the apartment. The members are expected to face fines of 250,000 manats ($68 CDN), an average monthly wage. They are accused of breaking Article 205 of the administrative code that requires registration. The congregation belongs to the International Council of Churches of Evangelical Christians/Baptists.

  Pray for strength for these and other believers facing harassment for their faith. Pray that Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and other former Soviet republics will allow for true freedom of religion.