Protestants see upsurge in raids, threats, fines

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan — At least five Protestants in Turkmenistan’s Lebap Region have been given large fines for religious activity without state approval in three separate trials in late August.  Protestants have been summoned and threatened, including one whose business was seized. “The situation has got markedly worse since July and we don’t know why,” said one Protestant, who asked not…