Representing the Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists of RussiaAzerbaijan Supreme Court Hears Pastor Zaur Balaev Appeal
(LOVES PARK, ILLINOIS) – The Azerbaijan Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the long-pending appeal of pastor Zaur Balaev on April 1, 2008, according to Ilya Zenchenko, president of the Azeri Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists.
In an exclusive interview with SGA, both Pastor Zenchenko and Pastor Balaev expressed hope that the world outcry over Balaev’s imprisonment would lead to the relaxation of restrictions on Azerbaijan’s evangelical churches.
Until his release on presidential amnesty March 18, Pastor Balaev had been imprisoned since last May on charges stemming from a police raid on his church. The frail, physically ill pastor was charged and convicted of resisting arrest — charges widely believed to be false and politically motivated. Pastor Zenchenko said the appeal is important, because while Zaur is a free man, in the eyes of society he was convicted of a crime and will be viewed with suspicion.
Pastor Balaev is thankful for the global support he received, but questions whether the Supreme Court will clear him . . .
“This pressure caused the authorities to release me. I think it played a decisive role in my deliverance. They did not clear my name, though. It is obvious to me that they do not want to clear my name of these charges. They released me because of pressure from around the world. Everybody could relax, but they are not going to clear my name.”
According to Pastor Zenchenko, this case has had a profound impact on Azeri Baptist churches, and he is hopeful of better days ahead . . .
“Our churches are experiencing spiritual revival because we see this triumph of truth. We want this victory to be complete, so we have appealed to the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan. We would like everybody to praise God with us for the deliverance of our beloved brother who became a real victim. When Zaur was in jail, it helped us to attract attention to Azerbaijan from many countries, and maybe our authorities will ease their policy toward Christians after that.”
SGA president Dr. Robert Provost is asking for special prayer regarding the appeal to be heard by the Azerbaijan Supreme Court. If this appeal is unsuccessful, church leadership will consider an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.
A complete transcript and audio files of these interviews are available on SGA’s Web site.
SGA is an interdenominational mission working in the former Soviet Union since 1934. SGA focuses on helping churches in the lands of Russia by sponsoring seminaries and Bible institutes for pastor and layleader training, provision of Russian-language Christian literature, and sponsorship of national church planters. SGA is the official representative of the Russian Union of Evangelical Christians-Baptists and a sponsor of the Eurasian Federation of the Evangelical Christians-Baptists.
Related Articles About Pastor Balaev
4/16/08: Prayer Alert: Police Cheif from Balaev Case Injured in Accident
4/14/08: Appeal Fails in Azerbaijani Pastor Conviction Case from Mission Network News
4/10/08: Pastor Balaev Update and Prayer from SGA president Robert Provost.
04/01/08 — Press release: Azerbaijan Supreme Court Hears Pastor Zaur Balaev’s Appeal
04/01/08 — Prayer Alert: Pastor Balaev’s Azerbaijan Supreme Court appeal
04/01/08 — SGA exclusive audio interviews with Pastor Balaev and Azeri UECB president Ilya Zenchenko
03/19/08 — Prayer Alert: Pastor Balaev Released from Prison!
01/18/08 — Press Release: An Interview with Imprisoned Pastor Zaur Balaev
11/22/07 — Prayer Alert: Imprisoned Pastor Disturbing News
09/11/07 — Azerbaijan pastor imprisoned
