Kazakhstan: pastor imprisoned for praying and singing

video from local government channel 

A Protestant pastor in Kazakhstan's capital Astana, Bakhytzhan Kashkumbayev, was arrested on criminal charges of harming health on 17 May, Forum 18 News Service has learned. On 19 May he was ordered to be held for two months' pre-trial detention on unclear charges, apparently including praying and singing.

Arrest.

Pastor Kashkumbayev, who leads Grace Church in Astana, was arrested in the early evening of 17 May, church members told Forum 18. Astana Police told the local media on 18 May that Pastor Kashkumbayev was taken to the city's Temporary Isolation Prison.

Police added that Pastor Kashkumbayev was arrested on suspicion of an offence under Criminal Code Article 103, Part 1 ("Intentional inflicting of serious harm to health"). This carries a punishment of restrictions on freedom or imprisonment of between three and seven years. It said the criminal case had been opened in October 2012 "for causing considerable harm to the psychological health" of a church member.

In October 2012, after raiding the church, detaining and questioning members, and taking literature and money, police told the local media that the alleged "harm" was caused by church members being "given hallucinogens to drink". The alleged "hallucinogens" were local red tea used as a non-alcoholic communion wine. Police questioning at that time ranged far beyond the alleged "harm" they were supposedly.

Imprisoned – but on what charges?

Prosecutor's assistant Zh. Bukin brought a suit to Astana's Almaty District Court No. 2 for Pastor Kashkumbayev to be held in detention for up to two months while the investigation proceeds. At a hearing on the morning of Sunday 19 May, Judge Nurlan Bayakhmetov upheld the pre-trial detention, the Court chancellery told Forum 18 on 20 May.

Neither church members nor Forum 18 have been able to see the court ruling explaining the exact nature of the current charges against Pastor Kashkumbayev. "Those present at the [19 May detention] hearing said that the accusation presented in court was not because of the tea, but for praying in tongues and singing. This allegedly led the woman to lose her mind," church members told Forum 18.

Like many Christians worldwide, Grace Church members "pray in tongues" under what they state is the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

Pastor Kashkumbayev was transferred to the Interior Ministry's Investigation Isolation Prison in Astana on 19 May, staff there told Forum 18 on 20 May.

Its address is:

SI-12 (ETs 166/1)

Alash Tas Zhol street 30/1

010000 Astana
Kazakhstan