Prisoner of conscience 'released but not free'

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Pastor Shestakov reunited with his daughters

Former prisoner of conscience Pastor Dmitry Shestakov, who was recently released from a four-year jail sentence, remains under the severe restrictions of "administrative supervision."

For one year, Pastor Shestakov must report to police in-person almost every week. He may not be outside his home between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. He may not leave his hometown without written police permission. He cannot visit public places such as restaurants. The term of administrative supervision can be extended, and the punishments for breaking the supervision include imprisonment for four years. The authorities have refused to explain the reason for the restrictions.

Thank God for Pastor Shestakov's release from prison. Ask the Lord to help him and his family overcome the suffering they have experienced and give them continued faithfulness and perseverance. Pray Pastor Shestakov's testimony will strengthen the faith of other Christians. Pray for the Holy Spirit to encourage all believers currently serving time in prison for following Christ.

Learn more about the persecuted Church in Uzbekistan at the Uzbekistan Country Report.

Uzbekistan Information

  • Current Ministry Project

    VOMC has been working with project partners over the past couple of years to affirm and equip Christian women for continued ministry and to encourage unity among them.

    Project Fund: Equipping the Saints

  • Country Information

    Population
    31,360,836 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Uzbek (83.8), Tajik (4.8), Kazakh (2.5), Russian (2.3) Karakalpak (2.2), Tatar (1.5), other (4.4)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (88), Eastern Orthodox (9), other (3)

    Leader
    President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (2016)

    Government type
    Presidential republic; highly authoritarian

    Legal system
    Civil law system

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Uzbekistan

    Thank you for praying on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Uzbekistan who are undergoing severe mistreatment by those governing over them. Ask the Lord to remind these persevering believers that they are truly His beloved children. As their Heavenly Father, He is the One who governs their souls and eternal destiny. May they have a heightened awareness of His abiding presence, everlasting love, help in times of trouble – and whatever else they specifically need – as conveyed through the infallible promises of His powerful Word.

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Uzbekistan News

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    Photo: Flickr / eatswords (cc) 

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  • Easter Worship Services Raided
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    Photo: VOMC

    While members of the Baptist church in Karshi, Uzbekistan, were gathered for worship on Easter Sunday, April 9th, police broke open the door and forced their way inside. Using electrical prods, they incapacitated some of the attendees while others cried and prayed. Ten members, including young people, were taken to the police station where they were held in custody until mid-afternoon. The detained believers were released after records of offence were drawn up against them.

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  • Christian Fined for Distributing Magazines
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  • Registration Applications Denied
    Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tashkent - Photo: Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Evangelical_Lutheran_Church_in_Tashkent_15-12.JPG Bobyrr, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
    A Lutheran church in
    Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
    Photo: Wikipedia / Bobyrr (cc)

    Although religious communities in Uzbekistan would like to obtain official permission (to exist), as required by the state, all their applications have been blocked. Protestant churches, Shia Muslim communities, along with groups of other minority religious affiliation, have not only had their registrations denied, but now they are being subjected to subsequent fines, torture and other punishments.

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