Pastor Dmitry Shestakov has appealed his four-year work camp sentence, according to a March 23 report from Forum 18. Shestakov was arrested for his religious activities on January 21. In imposing its verdict, the court said that it would be impossible to "re-educate" Shestakov without isolating him from society. He remains imprisoned in Andijan until his appeal is heard. It has been reported that he has been banned from kneeling to pray and that his New Testament has been confiscated. In exchange, he has been offered the Koran to read. Pray that Dmitry's appeal will be successful.

Pastor Dmirty Shestakov, who had been taken into custody by secret service officials on January 21 (click here for more details), was sentenced to four years of exile within Uzbekistan for his religious activity, according to March 9 report from Forum 18. Two of the three charges against him were reportedly withdrawn during the trial. His defense will receive the full written verdict in a few days' time. The place of his exile has yet to be been determined.

On February 25, police officers burst into a church in Qarshi, Uzbekistan and disrupted a group of believers gathered for worship. According to VOMC sources, the police videotaped the service and, after it was completed, shut the doors and began questioning the believers there, asking why they had become Christians. The police confiscated literature and demanded to know who was funding the church.

The church, led by Pastor Sergei Shandyvayev, is not registered with the government and the Christians expect to be summoned to a court hearing.

Pray for wisdom for Pastor Shandyvayev and his congregation. Pray that the Lord will help them to boldly proclaim the gospel (Ephesians 6:18-20). Pray that they will exemplify the love of God through consistent love and prayer for those who persecute them (Matthew 5:43-48).

For more information on the persecution of Christians in Uzbekistan, click here.