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Kazakhstan

  • Man expelled for preaching in own church

    After legal residence in Kazakhstan for 15 years, marriage to a Kazakh citizen and having a two-year-old daughter, Russian citizen Leonid Pan was, in mid-August, denied his application to renew his residence permit because he volunteers to preach in his local Protestant church. The local Internal Policy Department had already refused permission for him to become leader of the church. "How can the Migration Police, without having a Court order, demand that Leonid leave the country?" church members complained to Forum 18. The KNB secret police denied to Forum 18 that it was involved in the expulsion.

    Meanwhile, in August, another Baptist was fined nearly five months' official minimum wage for holding an unregistered worship service. State restrictions on religious communities are likely to increase with the new Religion Law amendments, due in Parliament this autumn.

    Pray Leonid and his family will be able to remain together. Pray the Lord will grow His church in Kazakhstan in number and in faithfulness, in spite of the current restrictions and the threat of further law amendments. Pray for all those in authority in Kazakhstan.

    To understand this former Soviet republic, go to the Kazakhstan Country Report.
  • 'Absurd' criminal charge for praying for the sick

    Pastor Yerzhan Ushanov of the New Life Protestant Church in Taraz could face up to two years' imprisonment if criminal charges of harming an individual's health, brought by the National Security Committee (KNB) secret police, reach court. The KNB claim a visitor to the church suffered after Pastor Yerzhan prayed for him using hypnosis -- the second time the secret police have brought such charges against a Protestant pastor in Jambyl Region. "This is not the first time the authorities in southern regions of Kazakhstan bring such absurd accusations against pastors for allegedly using hypnosis, while in reality all they do is pray for the sick," New Life Church members complained. Extremism and Terrorism Police then raided the church's Sunday worship after an alleged complaint of food poisoning, and the KNB searched Pastor Yerzhan's home.

    Pray the truth of this case will come to light. Pray for healing of the church visitor; may this act as a witness to God's mercy, goodness and authority. Pray the Lord will strengthen the faith of Pastor Yerzhan and his congregation.

    Find out more about the suffering of Christians in Kazakhstan at theKazakhstan Country Report.
  • Christian fined

    A Christian in Kazakhstan, Zhanna-Tereza Raudovich, has been fined for hosting a worship service for local women and children in her home. Kazakh police raided Zhanna-Tereza's home in the village of Ayteke Bi on January 17. Three days later, she was fined for "leadership or participation in the activity of an unregistered social or religious organization." Authorities have warned her that she will face criminal charges if she does not pay the fine, which amounts to approximately 100 times the minimum monthly wage in the country. There is concern over how Zhanna-Tereza will pay the fine, as she has six children and is currently unemployed. At last report, she was in the process of making an appeal. (Source: Forum18)

    Pray that the fine against Zhanna-Tereza will be dropped. Pray that she and her family will rest in the Lord as their portion and continue to seek His face with all their hearts (Psalm 119:57-58).

    For more information on Christians facing opposition for their faith in Kazakhstan,click here.
  • Update: Christian again facing deportation

    A German-born believer who was recently prosecuted in Akmola Region, Kazakhstan for taking part in religious worship without state registration is again facing deportation. In October, Viktor Leven successfully appealed the deportation order (click here for details), but the Regional Court reinstated the deportation on November 26. Leven stated he may be forced to leave the country at any time. (Source: Forum18)

    Pray that Leven will not be deported and separated from his wife and six children, the youngest of whom is just three weeks old. Pray for endurance for other believers facing similar challenges in Kazakhstan.

    For more information on the persecution facing Kazakhstan's Christians, go to theKazakhstan Country Report.
  • Christians fined and deported

    Two Christians, Viktor Leven and his brother, Didrikh, are facing prosecution for taking part in religious worship without state registration in Akmola Region, Kazakhstan, according to a November 5 report from Forum18. On October 14, Viktor, who was born in Kazakhstan but has German citizenship, was found guilty of "carrying out missionary activity without local registration" (Article 375-3 of the Administrative Code), an offense which prescribes a fine and/or deportation to foreigners or people without citizenship. He was fined a total of 6,480 Tenge (approximately $45 CAD) and ordered to be deported. He has since had his fine and deportation annulled on appeal -- a decision which local Christians see as a result of the court recognizing "that he was not a missionary and had not been sent to Kazakhstan for this...he lives here." On October 28, Didrikh was found guilty of violating Article 374-1 which forbids "leadership or participation in the activity of an unregistered social or religious organization." He was fined 129,600 Tenge (approximately $900 CAD), which is 100 times the minimum monthly wage. He reportedly plans to lodge an appeal to the same Akmola Regional Court which overturned Viktor's punishment.

    Also in Kazakhstan, Feruza Utegenova, a member of New Life Church in Aktau on the Caspian Sea, was deported to Uzbekistan on November 5. She had been convicted and fined in June for "carrying out missionary activity without local registration" (Article 375-3) after she distributed a Christian children's magazine to a 12-year-old girl living near her home.

    Pray that the charges against Didrikh will be dropped. Pray for strength and guidance for Feruza as she seeks to serve Christ amid her trials. Pray that authorities will cease their harassment of Christians in Kazakhstan.

    For more information on the persecution facing Kazakhstan's Christians,click here.
  • Christians arrested and harassed by authorities

    Several Christians throughout Kazakhstan have been harassed and assaulted by authorities in recent weeks, according to an August 27 report from Forum18.

    In the district of Uspen, Pavlodar province, Kazakhstan, police broke into a local believer's home where four members of the Grace Presbyterian Church were staying on August 5. They accused the visiting Christians of "illegal" religious activity. They also beat Safura Mil, a local woman who had been praying with the church members, until she agreed to sign a statement claiming that she had been forced to submit to a "religious ritual." One of the church members, Kayrat Zhgangozhin, was detained for questioning for several hours.

    That same evening, officials broke into the home of Valentina Fischeva, the host of the prayer meeting and seized identity documents of the Grace Presbyterian Church members. At last report, Zhgangozhin and another church member, Ramil Imankulov, were scheduled go to trial on August 31 on charges of "forcing individuals to conduct religious rites or participate in other religious activity" -- a charge which carries a fine of up to 20 times the minimum monthly wage in the country.

    In a similar incident, ten members of the Uralsk City Council of Churches Baptist Church in western Kazakhstan were detained on August 7 while visiting the town of Jambeyt to share their faith with local residents. The believers were questioned, photographed and fingerprinted. They were released several hours later. However, at last report a local police official stated that the investigation against the believers was not finished and that they were expected to return for further questioning.

    Pray that those detained will be released without charge. Pray that Kazakh authorities will cease their harassment of Christians.

    For more information on the persecution facing Kazakhstan's Christians, go to theKazakhstan Country Report.
  • Pastors fined

    Pastors are facing pressure, fines, and arrests in Kazakhstan, according to a June 9 report from Forum18.

    On June 8, Pastor Vasily Kliver was sentenced to five days in prison for "failure to carry out court decisions" after he refused to pay a fine for leading an unregistered congregation in the city of Aktobe. Prior to his sentencing, court officials searched Pastor Kliver's home for valuables to confiscate as payment for the fine. At last report, Pastor Kliver's wife, Maria, did not know where her husband was being detained. He is due for release on June 13.

    Pastor Maksim Tashenov was fined on June 9 for participating in religious activity in a different region from where his own church in the city of Aktau is registered. Pastor Tashenov was visiting a church in the southern Kyzylorda Region in March when officials barged in, brought him to a police station and held him for several hours. He has been fined 12,000 Kazakh tenge (approximately $90 CAD) and his church has been banned for three months.

    Pray that pastors in Kazakhstan facing difficulty will have grace, wisdom and endurance (1 Peter 5:10). Ask God to provide for the families of pastors who are fined or imprisoned for their Christian witness.

    Learn more about suffering Christians in Kazakhstan.
  • Update: Kazakhstan's Constitutional Council rejects draft religion law


    President Nursultan Nazarbaev

    On February 11, Kazakhstan's Constitutional Council declared a recently proposed religion law (read more) unconstitutional. The Council's decision was based on the law's violation of several constitutional articles, including Article 14.2 which states "no one shall be subject to any discrimination for reasons of origin, social, property status, occupation, sex, race, nationality, language, attitude towards religion, convictions, place of residence or any other circumstances." President Nursultan Nazarbaev has one month to respond to the Council's decision. Any changes he proposes to the law must be supported by a minimum of two-thirds of the Council to take effect.

    For more information on the opposition facing Christians in Kazakhstan,click here.

     
  • Pastor fined, draft religion law sent to Constitutional Council

    Aleksandr Kerker, a Baptist pastor in the town of Tayinsha, North Kazakhstan Region, is facing opposition from authorities for refusing to pay a fine for leading worship without state permission, according to a January 9 report from Forum 18. In early January, court bailiffs went to Pastor Kerker's employer and demanded he hand over part of Kerker's salary to pay the fine. The employer refused, but fired Kerker to avoid further confrontations. The court bailiffs have also threatened to confiscate Pastor Kerker's cow and his fridge and stove to cover the owed amount.


    President Nursultan Nazarbaev

    Meanwhile, President Nursultan Nazarbaev has sent the draft religion law (click here for more information) to be reviewed by the Constitutional Council. The Council has one month to determine if the law conforms to the country's constitution. The repressive religion law proposes a ban of unregistered religious activity, stringent rules on who can spread their faith, and the censorship of religious literature.

    Ask God to protect and provide for Pastor Kerker and his large family. Pray that the fine will be dismissed. Pray that Kazakhstan's leaders will reject this law.

    To learn more about the plight of Kazakhstan's Christians, go to theKazakhstan Country Report.
  • Further restrictions imposed in Kazakhstan's draft religion law

    Kazakhstan's draft religion law was amended with further restrictions on November 7, according to a November 18 report from Forum 18. The amendments to the law include mandating a fixed fine of 50 times the minimum monthly salary for those found guilty of worshipping, building or opening places of worship, or publishing or distributing religious literature without government permission. The proposed amendment would also require both parents to give permission before a child can attend a religious event and would ban believers from expressing their faith beyond their "own circle."

    Pray that this law will not be approved. Ask God to work in the hearts of Kazakhstan's leaders so that they too will know the Good News.

    For more information on the persecution facing Kazakhstan's Christians,click here.

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