Azerbaijan Bans Church Leaders Without State Approval
Christians expressed concerns Thursday about new religious legislation in Azerbaijan that bars churches from naming leaders without state approval.
Christian Persecution – Russia & Former USSR
Belarus Detains Christian Missionary Amid Crackdown
Belarus has detained a Christian missionary as part of a massive crackdown on those deemed dangerous to the government, Christians told Worthy News.
Uzbekistan’s New Religion Law Adds Pressure on Christians
Christian rights activists say Uzbekistan’s new Religion Law maintains restrictions despite state media claims that it extend freedoms.
Russia Increasingly Banning Christian Education
Russia has stripped several Christian institutions of their right to offer higher education, several sources confirmed.
Russian Court Fines Virus-Denying Priest
A Russian court has fined an influential priest for publicly denying the existence of the new coronavirus and urging his followers to ignore government ordered lockdowns.
Pastor in Tajikistan charged with “inciting religious hatred” released
A Tajik Pastor imprisoned for over 2 years for possessing a Josh McDowell book was released recently, 3 months before the end of his sentence.
Wave of evangelical church closures in Russia belies Putin’s pledge to help Christians
At least 3 evangelical churches have been closed in Russia over the last 6 months, in spite of President Vladimir Putin’s pledge at a recent conference to “do everything” to protect Christians in the Middle East.
Pastor in Tajikistan calls for prayer after church raid
The pastor of a church in Tajikistan has called for prayer after secret police raided a church worship service on Sunday 11 March 2018.
Militant Muslims Firebomb Evangelical Church in Kyrgyzstan; Flames Stop at Open Bible
Christians said they saw a ‘sign from God’ following a firebombing attack by Muslim militants on an evangelical church in Kyrgyzstan. The flames burned through much of the interior but stopped at the open Bible on the altar.
Azerbaijan: ‘no fair trial’ for house-church leader appealing against fine
An Azerbaijani man fined for leading a ‘house church’ without state permission has not been treated fairly during his appeal against the fine, a local source has told World Watch Monitor.
Russian Anti-Missionary Law Mainly Hampers Christians
Concerns among Russian Christians that the government’s antiterrorism legislation, adopted last year, would take away their religious freedom have been proven true.
Russia’s Crackdown on Evangelism Leads to Prosecution of Mostly Christians 1 Year After ‘Anti-Missionary’ Law
Evangelical Protestants make up the majority of the 181 cases prosecuted by Russian authorities under the country’s notorious ‘anti-missionary’ laws, which came into force last July, according to a report. Christians were also prosecuted in Crimea, which Russia occupied in 2014.
For the First Time, Russia Ranked Among Worst Violators of Religious Freedom
Russia’s ongoing crackdown on religious minorities, foreign missionaries, and evangelists has earned it a spot among the worst countries in the world for religious freedom.
Russia Arrested Ukrainian Religious Leader While Preaching at a St. Petersburg Messianic Congregation
Russia has brought an administrative case against a religious leader under the country’s controversial new package of anti-terrorist laws.
American Bapist Minister Targeted Under New Anti-Evangelism Law in Russian
An American man is among the first group of people to be targeted under new anti-evangelism laws in Russia.
Russian Believers May Need to Disobey New Law
Christians in Russia are grappling with a new law that effectively makes it illegal for them to share their faith, preach or pray outside of officially designated sites.
Christians in Russia Refuse to Stop Sharing the Gospel Despite Putin’s Ban on Evangelism
The Slavic Centre for Law and Justice, an affiliate of the American Center for Law and Justice, said a new manner of carrying out missionary work in Russia will have to be established.
Belarus: Police raid private Christian gathering
Police raided a group of Christians gathered inside a private home in Gorki, Belarus on Dec. 22.
Kazakhstan: Christian convert sentenced
A Kazakh court in Astana has increased the severity of the sentence given a Christian convert from Islam.
Uzbekistan: Christian meeting raided by police
A dozen Christians who had met last month in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, were detained after plain-clothed policemen broke up their gathering and confiscated their Christian literature.