TARAZ, Kazakhstan — Pastor Yerzhan Ushanov of the New Life Protestant Church in Taraz could face up to two years’ imprisonment if criminal charges of harming an individual’s health, brought by the National Security Committee (KNB) secret police, reach court.
The KNB claims a visitor to the church suffered after Ushanov prayed for him using hypnosis, the second time the secret police has brought such charges against a Protestant pastor in Jambyl region.
“This is not the first time the authorities in southern regions of Kazakhstan bring such absurd accusations against pastors for allegedly using hypnosis, while in reality all they do is pray for the sick,” New Life Church members said.
Extremism and Terrorism Police then raided the church’s Sunday worship after an alleged complaint of food poisoning and the KNB searched Ushanov’s home.
The KNB secret police and the Extremism and Terrorism Police refused to comment.
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