Protestant pastor jailed in Kazakhstan
July 15, 2013
The pastor of a Pentecostal church in Kazakhstan’s capital has been jailed since May on charges of “intentional inflicting of serious harm to health.” The case has raised concern among religious-liberty advocates, who call the charge baseless. Prosecutors allege that Bakhytzhan Kashkumbayev carried out “charitable and religious activity by means of exerting psychological influence on church members, including with the use of stupefying substances with the aim of collecting gifts for the use of the association.” Kazakhstan, located in Central Asia, has a population of 17.3 million that is 47% Muslim, 44% Eastern Orthodox, 2% Protestant, and 1% Catholic.
For all current news, visit our News home page.
Further information:
- Petition for the release of a Christian Pastor jailed for false accusations (Fides)
- Criminal trial for atheist writer imminent, pastor still in prison, new criminal case (Forum 18)
All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a current donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!
