Azerbaijan (MNN) ― Imprisoned Baptist pastor Zaur Balaev has been transferred to a prison colony in Azerbaijan.
After having lost his appeal on false charges, he's serving a two-year prison sentence and looking into another appeal, according to witnesses.
Slavic Gospel Association's Joel Griffith says the latest report they've heard is that the conditions endured at the prison are terrible and are especially hard on the frail pastor. "Officials at this prison where he's being held are demanding a high level of payment in what seems to be basically 'bribes.' They're demanding these bribes before Pastor Balaev is getting food or being able to meet with his family."
Since his transfer to Darnagyul, church members have been able to supply him with warm clothes, a blanket, new glasses and food. However, he is in poor health, and that remains a concern of his family and the church.
Balaev had been convicted of resisting arrest and attacking five police officers--charges that are completely false, according to the leadership of the Azerbaijan Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists (UECB).
A lower court rejected his first appeal on October 3. UECB president Ilya Zenchenko says that if the second appeal fails, Pastor Balaev's only option is to serve two-thirds of his two-year sentence and then apply for early release. Appeals to the European Court of Human Rights are also possible.
Pray that God will sustain him during this severe trial. Pray that God will also protect the persecuted congregation. "We're asking people to lift this situation up in prayer, that the Lord would intervene and not only cause the situation in the prison to stop, but also that his appeal to the Azerbaijan Supreme Court would ultimately be successful and his two-year prison sentence would be overturned."
There are other concerns related to this situation in Azerbaijan. Griffith says they're hearing that police in the town of Neftechala have threatened another Baptist pastor with the same fate as Zaur Balaev. Forum 18 reports that Azerbaijani officials deny that any bribery is taking place.
They also insist that there are no prisoners of conscience in Azerbaijan and that no Baptists or other religious confessions are persecuted for their faith.
In the meantime, financial help is needed for Balaev's family. His wife and two small children are struggling financially. If you'd like to help the Balaev family, click here.
