Source:         www.MNNonline.org

Date:            August 30, 2007

Azerbaijan (MNN) -- Next, details of Pastor Zaur Balaev's arrest in Azerbaijan are coming to light, and Christians need to pray. He was arrested for holding church services without proper registration and for attacking police officers. President of Slavic Gospel Association Bob Provost says those charges are simply ludicrous. Balaev has spent years trying to register his church, reports Provost. "Every time he has tried to register, he has been refused because he can't find a notary who is willing to validate his membership roll. Without a membership roll that is notarized, he can't register the church." The 35-member church had been meeting in his home until his arrest in May. Provost expects the situation to get worse for Christians there. "There are 22 Baptist churches in Azerbaijan, and only three have been able to gain the registration that grants them the legal rights to worship. The opposition in Azerbaijan is very strong. The door of opportunity is closing, and freedom is diminishing." Funding is needed to support the Balaev family while he's in jail.