Photo: VOMC Source
A court in the Azerbaijani exclave of Nakhichevan recently fined two local Christians and three visitors from the capital city of Baku for participating in a worship gathering without state permission. The ruling was announced on June 19th, two months after authorities raided the home of a Korean family where the believers had assembled for worship. The court also fined and deported members of the Korean family for hosting Christian meetings in their residence.
The visitors from Baku chose to pay the fine, which amounted to approximately the average wage for a citizen's three-month term of employment. However, the two local believers have not yet complied with the substantial penalty and are now being pursued by court bailiffs.
While state authorization is compulsory for worship gatherings throughout Azerbaijan, non-Muslim religious communities are routinely denied registration, rendering their activities illegal and subject to punishment. This policy continues to severely restrict freedom of worship for Christians and other religious minorities. To review further reports on the persecution of believers in Azerbaijan, go to this country profile.
- Pray for wisdom, strength and encouragement on behalf of our Azerbaijani brothers and sisters in Christ who are presently facing fines and other penalties for practising their faith.
- Ask God to guide and equip all followers of Jesus residing within Azerbaijan as they seek ways to faithfully continue serving Him in the midst of opposition.
- May Christian families who open their homes for the purpose of ministry be divinely protected and hidden from the eyes of authorities, so they can continue to gather for meaningful times of worship, prayer and fellowship.
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