Pastor Yerzhan Ushanov of a church in the city of Taraz could face up to two years in prison if charges brought against him by the KNB secret police for causing harm to a person's health go to court. The KNB alleges that a visitor to the church underwent suffering after Pastor Ushanov prayed for him using hypnosis.
'This is the second time that the secret police have brought such charges against a Protestant pastor in the Jambyl region. "This is not the first time the authorities in the southern regions of Kazakhstan have made such absurd accusations against pastors for allegedly using hypnosis when in reality they are simply praying for the sick," members of the New Life Church told Forum 18 news service.
Extremism and Terrorism Police then raided the church during the Sunday service following an alleged complaint of food poisoning, and the KNB searched Pastor Ushanov's home. The KNB secret police and the Extremism and Terrorism Police refused to comment on the case to Forum 18.
