Russia Authorities Threaten Baptists, report
Baptists in the Russian town of Lipetsk south-east of Moscow say local authorities are using “a bureaucratic way” to restrict their activities, BosNewsLife monitored Wednesday, December 3.
Russia
Kyrgyzstan Adopts Controversial Religious Law
Kyrgyzstan’s controversial new Religion Law was adopted unanimously by the country’s parliament Thursday, November 6, adding to concerns among small Christian groups and churches that they will be targeted by authorities.
Christian Missionaries Bring Bibles, Aid To South Ossetia
Christian missionaries said Tuesday, October 21, they have managed to distribute Russian Bibles and humanitarian aid in Georgia’s breakaway region of South Ossetia, which was devastated by two months of war between Russian and Georgian forces.
US Kills Key Al Qaeda Leader As “Terrorists” Murder Christians
The United States military said Wednesday, October 15, it had killed a key leader of the ‘Al Qaeda in Iraq’ terrorist network in the main northern Iraqi city of Mosul where suspected armed militants linked to the group have been roaming the streets and reportedly killed up to 40 Christians in recent days.
Tajikistan Seizing Church Properties; Christians Forced Underground
Authorities in the former Soviet republic of Tajikistan have begun destroying and banning Protestant churches, forcing an increasing number of Christians to meet and worship “underground” missionaries said Wednesday, October 15.
Baptist Pastor in Azerbaijan Still in Jail: Prosecution Given Another Chance
The judge in the criminal trial of Baptist pastor Hamid Shabanov in Azerbaijan has not yet convicted him.
Missionaries Concerned After Church Attacks In Russia
Christian missionaries have expressed concerns about the situation of Protestant Christians in Russia after attacks on a Baptist and Pentecostal church outside Moscow, apparently by members of a group supporting President Vladimir Putin, BosNewsLife established Tuesday, January 8.
Belarus Increasing Persecution Of Evangelicals, Missionaries Say
Supporters of the opposition in Belarus held a rally Sunday, October 28, to commemorate the victims of Stalin-era repressions, shortly after Christian missionaries said Belarusian authorities “continue the relentless pressure and persecution of the evangelical church” here.
Burma Army Burns Christian Karen Villages, Satellite Images Show
The United Nations envoy for Burma, Ibrahim Gambari, arrived in the country Saturday, September 29, to urge the junta to end its violent crackdown on those opposing the regime, a day after satellite images confirmed that government-backed forces massively burn villages of predominantly Christian Karens.
Uzbekistan: Pastor Condemned to Four Years in Uzbek Gulag
An Uzbek criminal court has sentenced Christian pastor Dmitry Shestakov to four years in a prison colony for alleged “illegal†religious activities.
Uzbekistan: Officials Admit Arrest of Protestant Pastor
Uzbekista’s religious authorities admitted publicly for the first time this week that an Uzbek Christian pastor was arrested last month in the eastern city of Andijan and now faces criminal charges.
Azerbaijan Launches Crackdown On Growing Church Movement Of Ex-Muslims
Authorities in Azerbaijan have launched a crackdown on a church movement of ex-Muslims which grew from 40 to 18,000 members since the former Soviet republic gained independence in 1991, an organization supporting the reportedly persecuted Christian converts said Thursday, February 1.
Hungary Christians Host Israeli Teenagers Fleeing Rocket Attacks
A group of 18 teenagers from Israel’s war-torn northern area and two adult companions arrived in the Hungarian capital Budapest Wednesday, August 16, for a nine-day holiday organized by the Hungarian Baptist Charity and Malev Hungarian Airlines.
Nearly 100 Christian Radio Outlets in Russia Forced Off the Air Temporarily
All but two of the nearly 100 outlets affiliated with New Life Radio (NLR), a Russian satellite network operated by Christian Radio for Russia with HCJB World Radio as the principal partner, have been forced to go off the air temporarily.
20 Christans Wounded in Terrorist Attacks Against Iraq Churches
At least 20 Christians were wounded in Baghdad and Mosul in the largest terrorist attacks against churches ever, reports said Sunday, August 1.
Iranian Christians Mourn Martyred Convert
Iranian Christians are mourning the death of Ghorban Dordi Tourani, an Iranian believer assassinated two weeks ago by an unnamed group of fanatical Muslims and the first Turkmen in Iran known to have been martyred for his Christian faith.
Uzbekistan Christian Villagers Beaten and Expelled From Homes
Former Muslim residents in a remote village of the ex-Soviet union republic of Uzbekistan are being beaten, publicly humiliated and forced from their homes and jobs for converting to Christianity, a news agency investigation religious persecution said Friday, October 21.
Messianic Jews Fight Public Slurs in Israel
The Israeli High Court on September 12 heard a petition by ultra-orthodox Jews to hold a 700-person demonstration in front of the house of a family of Messianic Jews. In the past, the group’s smaller protests consisted of shouting obscenities and slurs at the Christians.
Turkey’s Mistreatment of Christians Becoming More Brazen
Bektas Erdogan never expected his Christian faith of 11 years to jeopardize his career as a fashion designer in Turkey.
President Flees Kyrgyzstan, Raising Hopes for Persecuted Christians
Persecuted Evangelical Christians and missionary workers in Kyrgyzstan were awaiting a new dawn late Thursday, March 24, as lawmakers of this former Soviet republic appointed a new interim president, news reports suggested.