Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Christians in Uzbekistan Sentenced For “Teaching Religion”

07/23/2012 Uzbekistan (BosNewsLife)- Supporters of a Baptist house church Christian in Uzbekistan have asked for prayers amid concerns she faces up to three years imprisonment on charges of "illegally teaching religion", BosNewsLife learned Monday, July 23. Yelena Kim's congregation was raided by about a dozen police and government officials in April during a Sunday service, rights activists said at the time.
Officers reportedly charged with wrongdoing Yelena though she was not present when the raid occurred, Christians said.

She has been accused of "violating the procedure for teaching religious doctrine," a charge which carries a maximum three year prison term, according to rights group Forum 18, which closely followed the case.
Officials also drew up records against her husband, Eduard Kim, and church member Losif Skaev, Forum 18 and Christians explained.
Officers returned to the house church in June with a search warrant and ordered church members to leave while they searched the premises, seizing printed materials, music, disks, a photocopier and Bibles, Christians said.
Devoted Christian Losif's home was also searched and 150 Bibles were confiscated along with some of his personal property and his passport, said rights activists. In a statement rights group Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOMC), which supports the house church with advocacy, said it was important that Christians around the world "pray that Yelena will be acquitted and that the persecution of this house church will cease(Source)."

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