Admin l Wednesday, July 05, 2017
KAZAKHSTAN – Jehovah’s Witnesses in Kazakhstan are not finding things easy, following decision of government to intensify activities against them with a view to stifle their operation.
They not only imposed fines to the tune of $2,107 on their branch operation, they also suspended their activities with Kazakhstan for three months, using the courts.
“On June 29, 2017, a Kazakhstan court ordered the branch office of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Almaty, Kazakhstan, to suspend operations for three months and fined them approximately 680,000 KZT ($2,107)”, the JWs said on their website.
Prior to this development, some 40 masked armed men conducted a raid on the branch property on May 17, 2017, which created a public spectacle.
On June 5, 2017, police inspected the branch property and authorities claim the inspection revealed violations of certain protocols. The Witnesses disputed the findings of the inspection, which was conducted in a way that violated legal procedures.
Speaking on the development, the witnesses said the developments in Kazakhstan are reminiscent of the police intimidation and religious intolerance that Jehovah’s Witnesses are facing in Russia, where the government has effectively banned the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The Witnesses will be appealing the June 29 decision, which must be filed by July 9, 2017.
despite Independence, Kazakhstan is clearly still a Russian puppet.