Azerbaijan (MNN) ― A pastor from northern Azerbaijan is the latest to feel the pressure from an increasingly unfriendly Muslim authority.
Aliabad village lies close to the border with Georgia in the northwestern region of Zakatala. Its 10,000-strong population is largely of the Ingilo minority--ethnic Georgians converted to Islam several centuries ago.
The country now ranks 22nd on the Open Doors World Watch List, a list that ranks countries according to the intensity of persecution Christians face for actively pursuing their faith.
Slavic Gospel Association's Joel Griffith says Azerbaijan's authorities have changed their accusations several times against Pastor Zaur Balaev, with the final charges a far cry from the initial charge that he set a dog on police during a raid on a Sunday worship service.
Griffith explains: "From what we're able to understand, Pastor Balaev was sentenced to two years in jail, and what they convicted him of was 'using violence against a state representative.' He was also accused of 'holding illegal meetings under the guise of religious activity' without concrete authority and without state registration." Unregistered religious activity is not formally illegal in Azerbaijan, though it is often treated differently.
An appeal is likely. There are concerns for Balaev's deteriorating health behind bars. Griffith says this case points to more evidence that the window is closing for ministry in Azerbaijan. However, "Our main concern right now obviously is marshaling prayer on behalf of the believers there as this pressure continues to increase. We want to continue on, obviously, helping to train pastors there. Pastors in so many ways are the future of the church. They need trained pastors to be able not to only evangelize but alsoto plant new congregations."
Please continue to pray for Pastor Balaev, for his appeal, or for an overturned conviction. Pray, too, that the believers in this area won't be intimidated into silence.
