Pastor Bakhytzhan Still Held in Kazakhstan

Please read Court Hearings Go Awry, by Julie Oosterhouse, at Mission Network News.





"In May, we learned of a pastor who was imprisoned with harsh and seemingly unfounded accusations. Open Doors USA received updates on the pastor’s situation from their contacts in Kazakhstan, and the word is troubling. This instance speaks loudly to the progression of hostility towards Christianity in the country. Pastor Bakhytzhan Kashkumbayev returned to court after languishing several months in prison on false charges of “intentional infliction of grievous bodily harm” to a member of his church.

"In an incredible shift in the court hearings held on January 29, charges of extremism were dismissed. To everyone’s shock, the Prosecutor’s Office of Astana suddenly declared two charges to be unfounded; “extremism” and “development of the illegal religious association,” and were subsequently dropped.

"However, in another turn of events during the hearing, Pastor Bakhytzhan and his lawyer refused to participate in the process. Police guards were summoned, and Pastor Bakhytzhan was ushered away from the courtroom. A loud argument erupted between the state judge, the lawyer representing Pastor Bakhytzhan, and Grace Church members who were also present in the courtroom. Pastor Bakhytzhan’s lawyer abruptly left the courtroom, and the judge was forced to stop the process. Most likely the new lawyer, a public defender, will be appointed to represent him."

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