Update: Jail sentence for Christian refugee if deportation to Uzbekistan proceeds
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Source(s): Forum 18 News Service
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Makset Djabbarbergenov with his son Photo courtesy of the Djabbarbergenov family
Uzbekistan is seeking to extradite a detained refugee, Makset Djabbarbergenov, from Kazakhstan on charges which carry a maximum 15 year jail term. Makset, a Protestant pastor, has been recognized as a refugee by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Makset, who fled to Kazakhstan, is being sought by Uzbekistan for exercising freedom of religion or belief in his home town of Nukus (for more, click here). On October 15, a court in Almaty, Kazakhstan, authorized further detention until November 5. The court also claimed that the Uzbek charges -- which seek to prosecute exercising freedom of religion or belief -- can be equated to terrorism-related charges in Kazakh law.
Makset's wife has been stopped by Kazakh authorities from visiting him, as has a human rights defender who found he is being held in solitary confinement. The Supreme Court claims it cannot find an appeal he lodged in August.
Please pray the Lord will intervene in this case and that Makset will not be deported. Pray the Lord will give Makset and his wife the strength to remain faithful so that He will be glorified as they steadfastly fix their eyes on what is eternal (2 Corinthians 4). Pray the Lord will strengthen His church in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan.
VOMC has been working with project partners over the past couple of years to affirm and equip Christian women for continued ministry and to encourage unity among them.
Ethnicity (%) Uzbek (83.8), Tajik (4.8), Kazakh (2.5), Russian (2.3) Karakalpak (2.2), Tatar (1.5), other (4.4)
Religion (%) Islam (88), Eastern Orthodox (9), other (3)
Leader President Shavkat Mirziyoyev (2016)
Government type Presidential republic; highly authoritarian
Legal system Civil law system
Source: CIA World Factbook
Pray for Uzbekistan
Thank you for praying on behalf of our brothers and sisters in Uzbekistan who are undergoing severe mistreatment by those governing over them. Ask the Lord to remind these persevering believers that they are truly His beloved children. As their Heavenly Father, He is the One who governs their souls and eternal destiny. May they have a heightened awareness of His abiding presence, everlasting love, help in times of trouble – and whatever else they specifically need – as conveyed through the infallible promises of His powerful Word.
This past Christmas, a neighbourhood celebration in Uzbekistan was hosted by Tatyana Akhmadiyeva, a member of a local Baptist church. At the event, she offered Christian magazines to 15 of her neighbours. Local authorities received a report about the distribution and summoned Tatyana for questioning
A Lutheran church in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Photo: Wikipedia / Bobyrr (cc)
Although religious communities in Uzbekistan would like to obtain official permission (to exist), as required by the state, all their applications have been blocked. Protestant churches, Shia Muslim communities, along with gr
Join Uzbek believers in prayer as they seek the Lord for wisdom in these cases.
A small number of religious communities in Uzbekistan received their registration in late 2019. However, many others are encountering major obstacles in their attempts to obtain registration, which would allow them to fun
Tashkent, Uzbekistan Photo: Wikipedia / Atilin (c)
A Christian mother in Uzbekistan was killed by her husband on February 9th because she had recently accepted Christ. The attack happened at the Tashkent airport as she was attempting to flee the country.
Population
