Uzbek pastor released from Kazakhstan prison
ICC Note:
Following a terrifying ordeal, Pastor Makset Djabbarbergenov has not only been released from prison, he has also been reunited with his family and flown to Europe where he and his family will remain safely in an unnamed location.
12/5/2012 Uzbekistan (Compass Direct News)- Uzbek pastor Makset Djabbarbergenov has been released from prison in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
He was released Dec. 4 and taken to the airport, where he was reunited with his wife and four children. According to the Norwegian religious-freedom watchdog agency Forum 18, they were flown to Germany. After arrival at Frankfurt they were taken to a safe location in another, unnamed European country.
His friends in Almaty told Forum 18 “we need to thank the Kazakh government – they did the right thing.”
Border guards at Almaty airport told Djabbarbergenov as he left that he was banned from re-entering Kazakhstan until 2017.
Pastor Makset’s release and asylum in Europe was facilitated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. Commissioner representatives met him on release from prison, took him directly to the airport and saw him safely through passport control to ensure there were no last-minute problems.
Makset was arrested in Almaty on Sept. 5 on the request of his native Uzbekistan which wanted him to be returned to face charges that he practiced religion outside state regulation.
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