Forum 18 was unable to contact Shu district police or any officials involved in the raids on the three churches or issuing the fines on May 3. The Chambil district police press office did not answer Forum 18’s calls on May 3.
Sol Baibashayeva, an official in charge of non-Muslim communities at the religious affairs department of the Zambil regional administration, said she was aware of raids and fines against Protestants in Shu district in March and April. “The police are to be condemned,” she told Forum 18 in Taraz, the regional capital, on May 2. “They took their own measures based on the administrative code. There were no orders from us.”
Visit during Sunday morning worship
Baibatshayeva insisted that her department “always defends believers.” “Those who have been fined know me,” she added. “Our Telemarketing Lead Generation Companies task is to protect them.” She could not reveal what she or her department did after the raids and fines.
Baibatshayeva said she and her colleagues regularly visit local areas and tell police and local officials that while Church Baptists do not register their communities with the state, “they should not touch them.” “Let them hold services on their premises, they will only be affected if they do something outside their domain,” she said.
Officials arrived at the Council of Baptist
Church congregation in Shu village in the Chambil region as they met at a home on April 14. The church, led by Pastor Valhalla Civic Auditorium Andre Boypraf, chose not to seek state registration.
“Officials took photos and filmed us,” church members noted that day. “They haven’t issued any fines yet, but they explained the need for the church to register.”
Prosecutor A. Seisebayeva referred the case to the Shu District Court. On March 27, Mirau told the court that the church met at his home every Sunday at 10 a.m. “He did not do anything against the law and did not violate it,” the court ruling – seen by Forum 18 – quoted his statement. “He asked for a fair decision.” Judge Tazhibayeva found Mirau guilty and fined him 100 MFIs, 369,200 tenge (about two months’ average salary).
Mirau appealed the March 27 verdict to the Zambil District Court. However, on April 30, Judge Rashid Dosymkulov rejected his appeal, according to the decision seen by Forum 18