Kazakhstan Court Orders Destruction of Bibles, Christian Literature
By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN (Worthy News)– A court in Kazakhstan has ordered the destruction of Christian literature, including Bibles, seized from a street evangelist.
Vyacheslav Cherkasov was detained by police in October for offering Christian literature to passers-by; officers later confiscated his suitcase containing Bibles and other religious books and leaflets.
In court, Vyacheslav claimed he had the right to distribute religious literature under the country’s constitution, but was instead found guilty of importing, publishing and distributing religious literature under Kazakhstan's new Religion Law that took effect in 2011. The draconian statute states that religious literature may only be distributed in registered places of worship, approved religious education institutions and other premises determined by local executive authorities. Furthermore, all literature is subject to analysis by the Agency of Religious Affairs.
Vyacheslav, who was fined $574, has appealed the ruling.