Day 25
Kazakhstan
In January, anti-government rallies that turned violent resulted in the deaths of at least 230 people. Much confusion still surrounds the events, and the tens of thousands of people were detained in the days following. More than a thousand people are still waiting for trials related to the event. Some are bystanders who found themselves in the midst of the rallies and say they were arrested, tortured, and now face trials that could result in prison sentences. Pray for justice to flow. Pray for truth to be found and light to shine into dark corners. Thank you, God, that Your right hand is majestic in power and shatters the enemy (The Bible, Exodus 15:6).
Source: Shot, tortured, facing jail: Can Kazakhstan deliver justice after Bloody January? (Eurasianet)
A large country the size of Western Europe, Kazakhstan is the world’s leading uranium producer and the economic leader of Central Asia. Soviet-era nuclear testing and toxic waste dumping plague the nation as well as elevating drug addiction levels and HIV/Aids rates. Islam had a resurgence after the Soviet era, but more legal restrictions are being imposed on all religious groups. Unregistered Protestant churches and their Believers suffer the most persecution. Political instability and infighting between the ruling party and opposition groups have been the mark of the last two years.
