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help imprisoned pastor bakhytzhan in kazakhstan
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International Christian Concern, which helps persecuted Christians around the world, sent this email to me today:

Raise your voice for Pastor Bakhytzhan's release from prison in Kazakhstan

Although it rarely if ever makes the headlines in the Western world, Kazakhstan is home to one of the most brutal regimes in Central Asia. Under a government that traces its roots to the Soviet Union, religious minorities face harsh restrictions on their activities and any missionary activity is completely forbidden. Churches must be registered to operate, but the government rarely grants a church registration, leaving the majority of Christians to worship illegally or not at all.

 In October things took a turn for the worst when police stormed Grace Church in the capital of Astana. They detained members for questioning and soon hurled wiled accusations at the church pastor, Bakhytzhan Kashkumbayev,  accusing him of putting hallucinogens in the communion juice. The charges were simply an excuse to harass the church until last month when police decided to arrest Pastor Kashkumbayev and lock him away in Astana's "Temporary Isolation Prison" where he will remain for at least the next two months as charges are brought against him.

Kazakhstan has an infamous reputation for treating their prisoners terribly. Conditions are horrible and some prisoners die after sustained beatings by guards. We must do everything we can to ensure Pastor Kashkumbayev is released immediately. The longer he remains imprisoned the greater the chance he will be tortured, beaten, and mistreated. Lend your voice to ours and call on the Kazakh government to release Pastor Kashkumbayev today! 
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Let's help the persecuted church, and sign the petition to the ambassador of Kazakhstan to release the pastor of this Presybterian church.
http://www.persecution.org/pdf/PETITION%20CALLING%20FOR%20THE%20IMMEDIATE%20AND%20UNCONDITIONAL%20RELEASE%20OF%20PASTOR%20BAKHYTZHAN%20KASHKUMBAYEV%20-%20Final%20Draft.pdf



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nb

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any update



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webmaster

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Got this update this morning:

We at ICC are deeply troubled by the illegal detention and harsh interrogation methods used against Pastor Bakhytzhan Kashkumbayev of Kazakhstan. Since being arrested on May 17 on trumped-up charges, Pastor Kashkumbayev has been severely mistreated at the hands of the Kazakh government. Please join thousands in creating a digital army demanding for the end of evil and brutality perpetrated against the innocent.

 
 
You can call the Kazakh Embassy at
202-232-5488
from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (EST)

__________________________________________

 

 

Don't know what to say? Use this as a guide:

 

"Hello, my name is _____ and I am from _____. I am calling on behalf of Pastor Kashkumbayev (Kush-come-by-av). He was wrongly imprisoned in Astana
(Ah-stahn-ah) in May and Soviet era tactics were used when he was sent to a psychiatric ward in Almaty (All-mah-tee) in August. This pastor is innocent and I am asking for his release, as he has done nothing illegal by practicing his faith. I ask that Kazakhstan treat all people of faith, including Christians, with dignity and allow them to practice their religion with freedom, as your constitution promises. I am following this case closely. Thank you."
 
_______________________________________
 We have a petition with over 1,500 signatures calling for his release that will be dropped off at the Kazakhstan Embassy by ICC officials this week. Your phone call could be the ticket to his release. Thank you for raising your voice for our brother in Christ.


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New update:

Innocent Pastor Imprisoned and tortured by U.S. Ally

 

International Christian Concern Launches A.C.T. Campaign to

Secure His Release

WASHINGTON - November 7, 2013 - Bakhytzhat Kashkumbayev (Pastor B.K.), a Christian pastor, has been wrongly imprisoned and tortured by the government of Kazakhstan for his Christian activities, including his role in the conversion of a young congregant from Islam to Christianity. Laughably, he was initially accused of lacing her communion wine with hallucinogens.

 

Pastor B.K. was initially arrested on May 17, however, as a result of international ridicule and the fact that Pastor B.K. was approaching the maximum limit of pre-trial detention under Kazakh law, the authorities released him only to re-arrest him moments later on the more serious charges of propagating terrorism/extremism.

 

ICC sources report that Pastor B.K. has been subjected to "Soviet-style psychological examinations" and tell us that "it is only because of international attention that Pastor B.K. has not been killed."

 

Pastor B.K. has now been imprisoned without a hearing for 182 days. He is 67 years old, and in failing health. He is subjected to regular abuse. The human rights organization International Christian Concern (ICC), today launched a campaign to pressure the Kazakh government to immediately release Pastor B.K., so that he may reunite with his family and receive the medical attention he desperately needs.

 

ICC has set up a landing page with and overview of Pastor B.K.'s case. ICC is calling upon all supporters of religious freedom to A.C.T. on behalf of Pastor B.K.

 

A (Awareness): Join the "Free Pastor B.K." facebook page
(www.facebook.com/FreePastorB.K.) and
tweet for his release using the hastag: #FreePastorB.K.

 

C (Contact): Contact Kazakhstan Embassy officials and demand his release.

 

T (Take): Take a "selfie" (picture) with an "I stand with Pastor B.K." sign, then upload it to the facebook page. The Free Pastor B.K. page has all the information activists will need in order to advocate for his release.

 

ICC President Jeff King adds that "Kazakhstan is a key American ally in Central Asia, particularly in regional security and energy cooperation. The U.S. Government has close ties with Astana, and we believe that an outcry over Pastor B.K.'s treatment will not fall on deaf ears." President Obama recently endorsed Kazakhstan's bid to join the World Trade Organization, and Kazakhstan has received over 2 billion dollars in American aid since independence from the former Soviet Union in 1992.

 

Previously, ICC submitted a petition with signatories from over 75 countries demanding freedom for Pastor B.K.. ICC continues to work closely with the State Department and other human rights organizations to leverage American influence towards ending Pastor B.K.'s persecution.

 



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NB

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Oh that dear man...  we must pray more for him that Jesus will send His light of encouragement to him 



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webmaster

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The following is a email received today giving good news, but tempered with caution.

PASTOR B.K. RELEASED FROM PRISON 
ICC's Advocacy Efforts Release an Imprisoned Pastor from Kazakhstan


After a long and grueling process lasting nine months, International Christian Concern (ICC) is very pleased to report that Pastor Bakhytzhan Kashkumbayev (Pastor B.K.) was released from prison Monday in Kazakhstan.


He was released on three years' probation following a grueling imprisonment that involved torture. He was found guilty of intentionally "harming the health" of a parishioner and has been ordered to pay his "victim" a fine of $10,800 USD. The pastor is not allowed to leave Kazakhstan. His lawyer said, "In my experience as a lawyer, this is one of the strangest cases I have seen...."


ICC first reported on the case in May 2013 and continued to follow the case closely, being the lead advocate on behalf of Pastor B.K. Over the summer, we published and delivered one of two petitions to the Kazakhstan Embassy in Washington, D.C. This got the attention of the Kazakh authorities and Pastor B.K. was subsequently released; however, he was then rearrested three minutes later on new charges (pictured above).
 
ICC knew we had to increase the pressure on the Kazakh authorities, so we initiated an awareness campaign urging those who care to publicize his case via their networks and to call the Kazakh embassy demanding his release.

Behind the scenes, ICC's Advocacy team worked closely with the Kazakhstan Embassy to find a solution and began to meet with leaders on Capitol Hill to ask for his release. Several members, including an influential member that cannot be disclosed, were advocating on his behalf. Kazakhstan is a country that cares about its relationship to the degree that it can affect its business relationships, so these efforts were key in the pastor's release.

His release is a great relief and satisfaction as the collective hard work of ICC, Forum 18, Russian Ministries, and our donors and supporters that advocated for his relief paid off.

Because of all of our work together, a brother in Christ is home with his family. However, the fight isn't over. Please continue to pray for the following:
He was released but found guilty (a face-saving measure). This could set a precedent for other pastors in Kazakhstan to receive the same treatment. Pray for the safety of Christians in this country.
Pastor B.K. and his lawyer's plan to appeal the "guilty" charge. Please pray for the success of this case.
The repeal of his fine of $10,800 USD which is under appeal. 
That Pastor B.K. and his family would sense God's presence and experience healing from the trauma over the last nine months. Pray especially for Pastor B.K.'s health to improve.


Thank you so much for your prayers and partnership during this campaign. We couldn't have done it without you!



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