Pastors Fined for Worship Services


Zaur Balayev; Hamid Shabanov

At a recent court hearing that took place on Good Friday, the leaders of two small Baptist churches in Azerbaijan were given heavy fines for holding worship services. In addition, judges threatened them with even tougher penalties unless they cease holding services altogether.

The two pastors, Zaur Balayev and Hamid Shabanov, have suffered persecution for more than 15 years, according to Archbishop Malkhaz Songulashvili of the Evangelical Baptist Church of Georgia: "They have also been warned that if they do not comply with the decision of the court and will in the future hold services, they will be either fined for a bigger amount or arrested." The two pastors plan to appeal this court decision. For further information on the struggles of believers in this country, review the Azerbaijan Country Report.

Please pray that both pastors' appeals will be heard swiftly, leading to the fines being dropped and their religious rights upheld. Throughout the legal process, may God fill them with His perfect peace and the wonderful assurance that He is with them in this spiritual battle. Also pray that the Azerbaijan government will allow greater religious liberties so the represented congregations can worship freely with joy and thankfulness to the Lord.

  • 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.

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Azerbaijan News

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    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.

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

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    Map & flag of Azerbaijan

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