During this period, he has been involuntarily hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital and has been forcibly medicated - even though he is mentally healthy. He has been unjustly accused of, among other things, causing a woman to become paranoid schizophrenic by attending services at his church.
Abuse of psychiatry against Christians - as in the days of the Soviet Union
The serious and landmark aspect of the case is that for the first time since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the authorities are abusing psychiatry against Christians - mentally healthy Christians, mind you - and accusing Christians of making people mentally ill. It is a serious attempt to stigmatize Christians.
It makes Kazakh Christians wonder what the future holds. This case is just one of several incidents in the last 4 years that show that the persecution of Christians in the country is increasing.
The reason for the false accusations
The reason for the trial is that he is ethnically Kazakh and was a Muslim before he converted to the Christian faith. Therefore, he is perceived as a threat to the typical definition of national Kazakh Muslim identity, as he shows through his conversion that it is possible to be Kazakh and Christian at the same time.
In the summer edition of the Danish European Mission magazine, readers could sign and send an enclosed letter to the authorities in Kazakhstan, appealing for Pastor Kashkumbaev to be released and acquitted of the unjust charges.
Pray for Kashkumbaev and the Christians of Kazakhstan
Currently, Kashkumbayev's health is deteriorating, he is losing his hearing and has pain in his heart. Please pray for Pastor Kashkumbaev. And pray for the church that God will turn the situation into something good, that the church will walk through this ordeal victoriously.
