Date:                March 27, 2007

Protestant pastor Dmitry Shestakov has appealed against the four-year sentence in one of Uzbekistan's open work camps imposed by for his religious activity. The verdict stated that Pastor Shestakov had to be deprived of his freedom "given the absence of the possibility of re-educating him without isolation from society." No date has yet been set for an appeal hearing and Shestakov remains in Prison in Andijan until the hearing.

He has been banned from kneeling to pray and had his copy of the New Testament confiscated. He has been offered the Koran to read instead.

Although the state Religious Affairs Committee has frequently in state-run mass media attacked Pastor Shestakov and Protestants generally, Begzot Kadyrov of the Committee claimed that "I have no information about the case." The verdict also claims it is "necessary" for twelve videotapes, seven CDs, two audiotapes and one copy of an Uzbek-language translation of a book "Jesus: More than a Prophet" to be destroyed. Two Protestants continue to await trial in north-west Uzbekistan.

Pray the appeal will be successful.

Pray for Pastor Shestakov and his family. Ask God to comfort them during this time.

Nationals sit under the effects of communism and Islam. May they know God.