January 2018 Persecution Magazine

Christian in Kazakhstan Fined for Practicing His Faith
3 | KAZAKHSTAN Although Kazakhstan’s constitution allows citizens to practice their faith freely, a Christian man named Yuri Bekker was
arrested and issued a fine in 2015 for handing out religious literature. He was also charged a fee for the “expert analysis” of his Christian literature,
even though he never requested it. After Bekker refused to pay the fine, he was convicted in October.
As a result, he has been prohibited from moving houses or visiting public places, such as shops or restaurants. If he still refuses to pay the
unresolved fine, the government has the authority to confiscate his home. Despite the constitutional guarantees, the government of Kazakhstan
has made it increasingly difficult for Christians to exercise their rights to religious freedom.
Fulani Militants Raid Village, Kill 29 Women
and Children
4 | NIGERIA During a recent attack led by Fulani militants, at least
29 people, mostly Christians, were killed, including many women
and children. The women and children were instructed by soldiers
to hide in a local elementary school, but the soldiers fled as the
militants arrived. Although members of the military were stationed
in the village at the time of the attack, they did little to prevent the
attack, leaving the Christian community wondering if the government
has their best intentions in mind. This violent attack took place
only a few weeks after another attack, during which 20 churchgoers
were murdered in cold blood.
Five Sudanese Pastors Continually Harassed
After Release
5 | SUDAN Five pastors in Sudan were arrested in mid-October for
allegedly causing “sound pollution” during their church services.
After they were summoned to court four days later, they were told
upon arrival that the case had been postponed another five days.
This is one of many recent examples in which the Sudanese government
has persecuted Christian leaders throughout Khartoum
by disrupting their daily lives. In some instances, Christians have
been forced to check in with police on a daily basis, making it
nearly impossible for them to maintain consistent jobs and support
their families and congregations.
Christian Families in Pakistan Flee Homes After False
Blasphemy Accusation
6 | PAKISTAN Several Christian families in Pakistan fled their homes on November 3
after a member of their community was falsely accused of blasphemy. According to
reports, a fake Facebook page, made to look like a local television channel, posted a
photo of a teenager named Sonu Arshad and accused him of blasphemy. The post went
further to encourage locals to “burn his church and give him the death penalty.” A local
Christian noted that no one knows why this young man was falsely accused.
According to authorities, police are investigating the situation to identify those who
created the fake Facebook page. Thankfully, the actual television channel has not commented
on the matter, minimizing media attention, and therefore backlash, against the
Christian community. For years, radical Muslims in Pakistan have misused blasphemy
laws to seek revenge or discriminate against religious minorities, including Christians.
PERSECU ION.org
INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN CONCERN
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