Pastor fined, draft religion law sent to Constitutional Council in Kazakhstanby Staff
January 28, 2009
(christiansunite.com) - 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.
Meanwhile, President Nursultan Nazarbaev has sent the draft religion law 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
www.persecution.net/kazakhstan.htm.
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