On forfolgtekristne.dk you can read about Pastor Ilmurad Nurliev, who has been sentenced to four years in prison based on false, fabricated accusations. He was convicted of "causing significant losses to the citizen". What the authorities called fraud, however, is what the church perceives as tithing, the voluntary payment of ten percent of personal income to the church, which is a biblical principle practiced by Christians across denominations. Several witness statements against Pastor Ilmurad Nurliev were also found to be fabricated. For example, one witness was in prison at the time she claimed to have paid money to the church and therefore had no way of paying the money.
Is arrest used as an alibi?
Several Christians in the country tell the news service Forum 18, co-founded by the Danish European Mission, that Pastor Nurliev was arrested and imprisoned to divert attention from the arrest of the Mufti of the Mary region so that the authorities could not be accused of discriminating against Muslims. The Mufti was allegedly arrested around the same time as Pastor Nurliev, charged with being complicit in - or failing to prevent - the sexual abuse of boys at a local madras (Islamic school). Due to this abuse scandal, several Justice Ministry officials who handle the licensing of religious organizations have reportedly been transferred from their positions.
Working as a hairdresser in the labor camp
In addition, according to Forum 18, he has not yet been forced into medical treatment, which was part of the sentence. Before Pastor Nurliev was saved in 1999, he was a drug addict, but when he came to faith in Jesus, he gave up drugs in just one day. He has also been a blood donor since then, as he is in a rare blood group, and a certificate confirms that he has been donating blood to pregnant women in a district hospital since 2008. How can a person approved as a blood donor for pregnant women be sentenced to treatment for drug addiction? Against this background, the imposed medical treatment only further calls into question the entire trial against Pastor Nurliev.
In less positive news, however, Pastor Ilmurad is reportedly not receiving the regular treatment for diabetes that he received before he was imprisoned. The labor camp will only allow him treatment if he can present a certificate from the hospital in the city of Mary, where he received treatment before his imprisonment. However, the hospital in Mary will only issue such a certificate if he appears in person. The prison administration has denied him access to the medical section of the labor camp.
Parishioners threatened by police
As the authorities have so far refused to register the congregation led by Pastor Ilmurad, its activity is illegal. Authorities are reportedly questioning members about whether his wife Maya gathers them for meetings. In this regard, the police have warned the members: ".... If we find out that the church is meeting, we will do to you what we did to Ilmurad."
Maya holds his Bible
Imprisoned Pastor Ilmurad Nurliev, his family and congregation need prayer. Maya, pictured holding his Bible, tells him that he is not allowed to bring his own Bible to prison. She says he valued his Bible at home as something precious and she holds it in his absence.
