wfn.org | Turkmen Government Clamps Down on Bibles Sales

[APD <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

June 28, 2001
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
http://www.stanet.ch/APD
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

Turkmen Government Clamps Down on Sale of Bibles

Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.    Book sellers in the central 
Asian country of Turkmenistan are reportedly facing a ban 
on the sale of Bibles. Directors of bookshops and stalls 
received a letter in March notifying them of the ban, 
according to information received by Keston News Service.  

Until earlier this year, imported Bibles were available 
from stalls for around US $5. But it has become 
increasingly difficult for Turkmen residents to purchase 
Bibles locally, reports Polina Naumova, communication 
director for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the 
region that encompasses Turkmenistan. For some time now, 
Bibles have not been sold on the general market, she says, 
although they have been available on a limited basis 
through some Russian Orthodox Churches.  

Turkmenistan, a former Soviet republic, has been steadily 
increasing its restrictions on minority religions, 
destroying churches, disbanding groups worshiping in 
private homes, and jailing church members and pastors.  

In November 1999, local officials ordered the destruction 
of an Adventist Church building in the capital Ashgabat. 
An Adventist pastor was arrested and held for three days 
in October 2000 for holding an "illegal worship service" 
in a private home. Only two religious groups are legally 
recognized by the Turkmen government--Sunni Muslims and 
the Russian Orthodox Church. [Editor: Bettina Krause 
for ANN]