Turkmenistan

Despite constitutional religious freedom, unregistered worship gatherings are frequently raided by police. Christian literature is confiscated and believers interrogated, threatened and fined by police. They risk losing their homes, their jobs or being sentenced to jail, labour camp or psychiatric hospital. Their children may face expulsion from school. Some Christian leaders have to attend the local police station every week for a 'chat'.

Examples of Persecution:

• In 2010, a pastor was arrested and imprisoned for his Christian activities,a nd was sentenced to four years in prison
• In 2012 police officers reportedly told Christians they would do everything they could to ensure there are no Christians left in the country

Open Doors is: supporting the church in Turkmenistan and promoting worldwide prayer for believers

Please Pray:

• For the growing number still becoming Christians despite the difficulties they face
• That Turkmen Christians will be less isolated from each other and from the worldwide Church
• That the President will introduce greater religious liberty measures and that recent improvements will continue.