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2017-11-15

• Church Leader in Solitary Confinement
  
  Photo: World Watch Monitor

  A Tajik church leader who was serving a three-year sentence for "singing extremist songs in church and so inciting religious hatred" has been moved to a prison located 350 kilometres from his home and placed in solitary confinement. Pastor Bakhrom Kholmatov was sentenced in July under the Tajik Criminal Code (Article 189). A previous report on the arrest and sentencing of this church leader can be found here.

• Two Pastors Charged for Alleged Spying
  
  Photo: Morning Star News

  On October 27th, two assistant pastors arrested by the army in Burma (Myanmar) last December were sentenced to prison on false charges of unlawful association, defaming the military and spying. Pastor Dom Dawng Nawng Latt received a prison term of four years and three months, and Pastor Lang Jaw Gam Hseng was sentenced to a term of two years and three months.

• Release of Christian Convert
  
  Photo: VOM USA

  On October 2nd, Yklas Kabduakasov, a Christian convert from Islam, was released from prison after spending more than two years in detention for allegedly "inciting religious hatred." Following his arrest on August 14th, 2015, Yklas spent time in pre-trial detention, under house arrest and, finally, forceful service at a labour camp.

  During his trying two-year ordeal, Yklas was greatly blessed by the numerous letters he received from those who expressed concern and prayer support for him. (For further information on how VOM's letter-writing ministry is encouraging imprisoned believers like Yklas, please review this previous report.)