Baptist Church Members Face Severe Fines

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In the Persecution and Prayer Alert of December 10, VOM reported on threats of fines and charges against a Baptist church in Balkanabad, Turkmenistan (see https://www.vomcanada.com/tm-2003-12-10.htm)

On January 9, Forum 18 reported that fines of more than one month's wage were given to each of twelve members of the church as a result of the raid on November 30. They were also warned that the next time the fine would be larger. If they offended a third time, they risked criminal charges. The names of those fined were: Boris Grishin, Olga Vasilieva, Marina Chukileva, Lyudmila Tabalenkova, Tatyana Kosenchuk, Mariya Vilkova, Maksim Grishin, Yury Kippa, Vitaly Konovalov, Tariel Ramazanov, Nikolai Matsenko and Albina Matsenko.


Turkmenistan Presidential Palace

 
A new law passed in November 2003 allowed for up to one year of "corrective labour" for unregistered religious activity. Only Sunni Muslims and the Russian Orthodox Church have been allowed to register.

Pray for financial provisions for those facing these difficult fines. Pray for believers throughout Turkmenistan facing similar persecution from the authorities.

  • Country Information

    Population
    5,690,818 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Turkmen (85), Uzbek (5), Russian (4), other (6)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (93), Christian (6.4)

    Leader
    President Serdar Berdimuhamedov (2022)

    Government type
    Presidential republic; authoritarian

    Legal system
    Civil law system with Islamic law influences

    Source: CIA World Factbook

    Pray for Turkmenistan

    Pray that the Lord will give the suffering members of the church in Turkmenistan the strength and determination to stand firm amid opposition and oppression. May they be granted opportunities to meet together for meaningful times of worship, Bible study and fellowship – encouraging and edifying one another in the Christian faith. Despite governmental restrictions, and the threat of fine or imprisonment, may the church in Turkmenistan flourish and bear much good fruit.

  • Pray for Turkmenistan

    Pray that the Lord will give the suffering members of the church in Turkmenistan the strength and determination to stand firm amid opposition and oppression. May they be granted opportunities to meet together for meaningful times of worship, Bible study and fellowship – encouraging and edifying one another in the Christian faith. Despite governmental restrictions, and the threat of fine or imprisonment, may the church in Turkmenistan flourish and bear much good fruit.

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Turkmenistan News

  • Christmastime Raid
    Christians studying the Bible - Photo: World Watch Monitor www.worldwatchmonitor.org
    Pray that Turkmen believers will have opportunities to share God’s truths.
    Photo: World Watch Monitor

    A group of women who gathered on December 26th had their worship time disrupted by a police raid. The home was searched and cell-phones were confiscated. The women were forced to give legal statements and have their photos and fingerprints taken. At last report, no fines had been levied.

    Though other faith groups have faced harassment throughout the year, this is the only known raid of Protestant Christians in 2019. Even so, the country's leaders maintain tight controls on freedom of belief, allowing only approved activities and religious literature. Any sharing of one's faith is banned and punishable. More information on the persecution of Christians in Turkmenistan is available here.

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  • Christian Leader Fined Following Police Raid

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  • Follower of Jesus Endures Detention for His Faith
    Umid Gojayev

    Umid Gojayev, a 30-year-old husband and father of three young children, is continuing to be held in detention because of his faith.

    In early 2012, Umid had an argument with four neighbours over access to a well where they live in Dashoguz. In the scuffle, Umid was forced to defend himself and hit one of the men on the head with a brick, causing injury. The man filed a complaint against Umid with local police. Several days later, Umid and his family reconciled with the man he injured and paid for his hospital expenses. Although the victim refused to press charges, when police learned that Umid was a Christian, they insisted on bringing the case to court.

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