Kazakh Baptist says charges are fabricated

Authorities in Kazakhstan have fabricated a Baptist man’s conviction for offenses against the nation’s religion law, according to the Norway-based Forum 18 religious rights organization. Forum 18 reported May 22 that a case against Vasily Stakhnev, a Baptist, has been fabricated involving religious literature distribution. Unregistered religious activity is illegal in Kazakhstan, as is religious literature that has not passed state censorship.