SLAVIC GOSPEL ASSOCIATION

Jailed Azerbaijan Pastor Endures Harsh Prison Conditions While Waiting for Court Appeal

SGA News Release, 01/18/08
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(LOVES PARK, ILLINOIS) — Evangelical church leaders in Azerbaijan say they are readying another appeal for imprisoned pastor Zaur Balaev in light of no action thus far by the country’s Supreme Court.

According to Ilya Zenchenko, general secretary of the Azeri Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists, Pastor Balaev has been waiting for three months for his appeal to be heard by the Azerbaijan Supreme Court. If no action is forthcoming within a week, the Union will file another appeal; however, Pastor Zenchenko says they have little hope for a positive result.

The church is also considering an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights. Pastor Zenchenko recently visited Zaur Balaev in prison and checked on his welfare. In a letter to Slavic Gospel Association, Pastor Balaev described the harsh prison conditions he endures . . .

“I am suffering tortuous pain. My heart [condition] bothers me, my hands and legs suffer from arthritis due to dampness and poor circulation. I am often ill with colds, flu and other viruses due to the unsanitary conditions.

We are cooking and eating in the dirt with rats and cockroaches. Many of my fellow prisoners have AIDS and tuberculosis. We literally eat and live in the bathroom. The food is bad and has a horrible smell, so the inmates are fed by their families, who have to pay the authorities for its delivery. Even the food from our families is often stolen.”

The inmates respect me, but the authorities are very skeptical of me because of my sentence and because I am a Baptist who spreads Christianity. They routinely call me in for interrogations and watch my every step. You must pay them money for everything. If you don’t give them money, they can take it by force and beat you.”

Pastor Balaev was sentenced last year to two years in prison after conviction on what church officials say are false charges of resisting arrest. Last May, police had shut down a worship service Balaev was leading, calling it illegal. They returned to the church later and arrested the frail pastor, later accusing him of beating up five police officers.

SGA president Dr. Robert W. Provost expressed deep thankfulness to SGA partners who have contributed toward the support of Pastor Balaev and his family. He also asks for continued prayer that Pastor Balaev will be protected and sustained during this ordeal and for his ultimate release from prison.

The full interview with Pastor Balaev is available on SGA’s Web site.