MUBAREK, Uzbekistan — A small Baptist church in Mubarek in southeastern Uzbekistan that has endured more than a decade of official harassment was again raided during Sunday morning worship March 24. The secret police officer who led the raid told the Baptists that “all believers are backward-looking fanatics who drag society down.” Officers filmed those praying, took their names and without a warrant searched the house where the church meets. They seized personal notes and family photos, as well as all the money from the church’s cash box.
The raid came two months after bailiffs seized a washing machine and other household items to cover unpaid fines handed down on church members in 2012.
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