ANDIJAN, Uzbekistan — Uzbekistan’s religious authorities admitted publicly in February that Dmitry Shestakov was arrested in January in the eastern city of Andijan and faces criminal charges.
Authorities deny, however, that Shestakov is an Uzbekistani Christian pastor affiliated with the legally registered Full Gospel Church in Andijan. The press service of Uzbekistan’s Religious Affairs Committee told the Russian Interfax news agency Feb. 12 that he was not an authorized leader of any officially recognized religious organization in Uzbekistan. Rather the government agency said Shestakov was an "imposter" leading an underground group identified as "charismatic Pentecostals" who were engaged in "missionary and proselytizing activities under Shestakov’s leadership."
But according to a written statement from his lawyer, a church document proves that the pastor has been authorized to conduct official worship services in the Full Gospel Church since Oct. 5, 2004.
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