Kazakhstan Christians fined for worshiping Jesus Christ

Christians in Kazakhstan were fined without due process because they met together to worship Christ.

The case, believed to be the first of its kind in the country, sparked fears that religious freedom in Kazakhstan could be in danger of being violated.

The three men who were fined were members of the Baptist church. They were the first Christians known to have been fined for worshiping without permission from the state.

"Such summary police fines haven't been used against us before. No one explained to us why they've suddenly started doing this," one of them told Forum 18.

He also said the police officer told them he had the authority to impose the fine as he had been authorized by the state to do so.

Last year, the police have been given the authority to apprehend unrecognized religions and impose fines under the revised Code of Administrative Offenses.

In 2012, the number of recognized religions shrunk from 50 to 17 as part of the government's tightening restrictions on religious practice.

The government has prohibited distribution of religious materials except in places recommended by the state. People are also not allowed to share their faith with others or meet together for prayer and worship without being granted permission.

Christians are not the only ones affected by these regulations. Jehovah's Witnesses and even Muslims can also be fined if they will conduct religious activities without the necessary permits or outside allowed places.

A revised Religion Law, along with other laws, will be released in August as ordered by Kazakhstan Pres. Nursultan Nazarbayev. These laws are expected to give harsher punishments for unrecognized religions and religious practices that do not abide by regulations.

Last year, "anti-extremism police" were reported to have raided the home of Baptist church member Maksim Volikov in Shalkar for worship services being held there without a permit.

The police arrived during the service and asked them to explain the nature of the meeting. They were also asked to identify the source of their religious materials.

Police listed an offense against Volikov for allowing his house to be used by an unrecognized religious community.