Youth minister accused of smuggling held in Russia

MOSCOW — Andrew Okhotin, a Baptist youth pastor, set out on a trip to Moscow in late March to deliver a $48,000 cash gift that was raised by American believers for Russian Baptists. Instead of making the delivery, he is now facing a charge of currency smuggling and a possible jail sentence of five years. Okhotin was detained at the Moscow international airport after customs inspectors discovered the $48,000 in cash he was carrying. He was interrogated for 12 hours, and the inspectors offered to release him with bribes of $5,000 to $10,000. His case has brought together thousands of Christians nationwide who are following his case closely and praying for him daily. Four hundred students at Wheaton College in Illinois have signed a petition for his release, along with many other groups nationwide. So far, the Russian government has not officially responded to the lobbying efforts.