Thursday, May 11, 2006

Uzbekistan: More Harassment

"Uzbekistan

In late April, police officers from Uzbekistan's criminal investigation department burst into the home of a Protestant pastor in northwest Uzbekistan, disrupting 12 people as they were having lunch together. The pastor and another believer were charged with 'breaking the laws on teaching religion.'

The April 24th raid in Urgench, a city in the Khorezm region near the Turkmen border, targeted the house of Pastor Lunkin Sergey of the Union of Independent Churches.

In a separate incident, three Christians in Tashkent were arrested on April 21st, while visiting and helping feed patients at a tuberculosis hospital for children. One of them was charged with violating administrative laws against teaching religion. During the past 12 months, Uzbekistan police and judicial authorities have stepped up pressures against Protestant Christians, and even government-registered churches are under heightened scrutiny.

Pray God will give Uzbek Christians a fearless confidence in their Savior. Pray for a miracle from our omnipotent Creator to bring peace and justice to Uzbekistan. Pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit among those in positions of authority to turn them to the One who loves them and wants them to know eternal peace. "

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