Christian Sentenced to Three Years in Lab our Camp in Turkmenistan
by Staff
May 23, 2007
(christiansunite.com) - On May 14, a Christian man, Vyacheslav Kalataevsky, was given a three-year labour camp sentence in Turkmenbashi for "illegally" crossing the border in 2001 after being deported for organizing prayer meetings for local Christians, according to a May 14 report from Forum 18.According to Kalataevsky's family, the Ministry of State Security (MSS) secret police brought the case against him in order to punish him for his religious activities. After his March arrest, he was not questioned about crossing the border but asked mostly about his religious activities.
He was also repeatedly questioned about his congregation during the trial.
Kalataevsky was sentenced under Article 214 of the Criminal Code, which stipulates a maximum of two years in prison for first time offenders, so it is not known how he received a three-year sentence.
Ask God to protect Vyacheslav in prison. Pray his passion for Christ will be the light that draws others to Him (Matthew 5:14-16).
For more information on the persecution of Christians in Turkmenistan, go to www.persecution.net/country/turkmenistan.htm.
