Christians detained for distributing religious literature

Police in Azerbaijan have threatened six Christians with criminal prosecution for sharing their beliefs with others and handing out religious literature. In Azerbaijan, all religious activity without state permission is illegal. Religious literature can only be given away or sold if it has passed through compulsory state censorship and only then in specialized state-approved shops. Heavy punishments are imposed for breaking these restrictions.

Three of the Christians were detained in Khachmaz Region on the morning of June 23. They were held until 1 a.m. the following morning. At last report, the believers were at home expecting to be summoned for further questioning. Three others were detained the month before on May 17 in the town of Kusar. A car belonging to one of the believers was confiscated along with Christian literature.

Thank the Lord for the faithfulness of these believers in Azerbaijan who have chosen to follow the Great Commission rather than the rules of men. Ask Him to strengthen their faith. Pray that they will not face charges or fines. Pray that their passion for Christ will be the light that draws others to Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16).

For more on the persecuted Church in Azerbaijan, please visit the Azerbaijan Country Report.

  • Country Information

    Population
    10,420,515 (2023 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Azerbaijani (91.6), Lezghin (2), Russian (1.3), Armenian (1.3), Talysh (1.3), other (2.4)

    Religions (%)
    Islam (97.3), Christianity (2.6), other (0.1)

    Leader
    President Ilham Aliyev (2003)

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    Legal system
    Civil law system

    Source: CIA World Factbook

  • Pray for Azerbaijan

    Pray for peace within the hearts of the Azerbaijani people who are living amid political instability. May the country's governmental authorities be willing to grant Christians their fundamental freedoms, enabling them to worship freely and share their faith openly with others of their communities.

Azerbaijan News

  • Churches Continue to Await Registration
    Open water is in the distance. A crowd on the beach can be seen between two tall buildings.
    Sumgait, Azerbaijan.
    Photo: Pexels / Smart World

    In April, the leadership representing Peace Church in Sumgait, Azerbaijan, submitted a formal application for registration with the government, a legal requirement for conducting worship and other religious activities within the country. However, more than five months later, the church remains in legal limbo. The state committee responsible for processing such registrations is refusing to process the application. Instead, the church has been warned that any unregistered religious activity is forbidden and will consequently result in punishment.

  • Fines for Unapproved Religious Meetings
    A group of people are studying together.
    Pray that Christians in Azerbaijan will continue to meet.
    Photo: VOMC Source

    A court in the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhichevan recently fined two local Christians and three visitors from the capital city of Baku for participating in a worship gathering without state permission. The ruling was announced on June 19th, two months after authorities raided the home of a Korean family where the believers had assembled for worship. The court also fined and deported members of the Korean family for hosting Christian meetings in their residence.

  • Christian Community Authorized to Meet After Many Years
    Hamid Shabanov - Photo: World Watch Monitor www.worldwatchmonitor.org
    Pastor Hamid Shabanov
    Photo: World Watch Monitor

    The Baptist community in the village of Aliabad understands what it means to wait patiently. For 25 years, these believers have sought legal status but were repeatedly ignored or denied. Police have regularly raided their church meetings and seized religious literature. Despite the opposition, the church continued to gather for teaching and worship while attempting to get official status.

  • Court Appeals Rejected
    Pastor Hamid Shabanov - Photo: VOM USA www.persecution.com
    Pastor Hamid Shabanov
    Photo: VOM USA

    Pastor Hamid Shabanov has known suffering for more than two decades, as he seeks to lead his church in Aliabad, Azerbaijan. He has been arrested on multiple occasions. For a 2013 report on the fines facing him, see this report. In December 2016, he was fined again for hosting religious meetings without permission. This opposition comes despite the fact that the church has been seeking legal registration since 1994.