Pavel Peichev, the head of Uzbekistan’s Baptist Union, and two colleagues face up to three years in prison each when they go on trial under criminal charges of tax evasion and teaching children Christianity against their and their parents’ will at a Baptist-run summer camp. The three have rejected the accusations against them, according to the indictment seen by Forum 18 News Service. One of the accused, Dmitri Pitirimov, told Forum 18 that as a religious organisation the Union is exempt from tax. As the leader of the Joy children’s camp, he insists that two parents cited in the indictment testifying against them knew “perfectly well” that they were sending their children to a Baptist camp, where the children would be taught the Bible, and signed documents to confirm their children’s attendance. He said one boy cited in the indictment had decided not to come this year as the Prosecutor’s Office had warned him it was an “illegal” camp. Begzot Kadyrov of the state Religious Affairs Committee refused to discuss the case with Forum 18, as did officials at Tashkent City Prosecutor’s Office. The trial date has not been announced.

The Uzbek authorities are increasingly using imprisonment for up to 15 days to punish members of minority religious communities. Several Protestants and Jehovah’s Witnesses have been handed such sentences so far this year.

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