Urgent request for prayer Please pray for a Christian pastor currently on trial in Uzbekistan. Dmitri (David) Shestakov is very active in ministry and particularly in sharing the Gospel with non-Christians. As a result he is being persecuted by the state authorities who have made three formal charges against him, and also appear to be conducting a “smear campaign” by posting false information about him in the media. David was arrested on 21st January and his trial, which started on 23rd February, is now drawing to a close. Today was a key day in the trial, during which the defence lawyer demolished many of the arguments of the prosecution and two of the charges against David were dismissed. Instead of the 20-year prison sentence which had been suggested earlier, the prosecutor only felt able to ask for a 5-year sentence. The judge will decide the verdict and announce the sentence the day after tomorrow, Friday 9th March. It is possible that David will be acquitted and allowed to go free on Friday. Alternatively he may be given five years, or a lesser sentence.

Two similar court cases are also in progress in other parts of Uzbekistan. David’s case will probably set a precedent to be followed in the cases of the other two pastors. If he is treated severely there will be serious implications for all involved in this kind of Christian ministry in this country. Pray that David will have strength, wisdom and peace, and that he will be acquitted and set free immediately.

Barnabas Fund

March 2007