Seventh-day Adventists in Kyrgyzstan Face Religious Freedom Violations as Authorities Conduct Unregistered Church Searches

The United Nations experts have raised concerns in 2025 about new legislation in Kyrgyzstan that they claim “criminalizes and marginalizes religious minorities.” According to reports from Forum 18, a publication that monitors violations of religious rights globally, Kyrgyzstan’s State Committee on National Security (CSSC) and other security forces have been systematically targeting communities deemed undesirable by the authorities. These include Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, Ahmadian Muslims, members of the Falun Gong movement, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and others.

On April 19, 2026, members of the National Police of Kyrgyzstan (PNCB), including Major Alexey Akulic and Senior Lieutenant Nursultan Nazarov, along with Alisher Alybaev, Director of the National Agency for Religious Affairs and Inter-ethnic Relations, conducted a search of the Biskekk Baptist Church of the Council of Churches during a Sunday service. This was the second such search, with the first occurring in September 2025. During the search, officers questioned Pastor Dmitry Golovin about his military service, participation in the post-election period, and other matters.

On April 21, Alybaev issued a protocol citing an administrative offense under Article 142, Part 7 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, which relates to the exercise of religious activity and the use of premises for religious purposes without state registration. A fine of 20,000 som was imposed on Pastor Golovin. The pastor contested the charge, citing Article 34 of the Kyrgyzstan Constitution of 2021, which guarantees the right to freedom of religion. He also emphasized that the private house in question was not a religious object.

The Baptists of the Council of Churches have, in principle, opted out of state registration in all countries where their communities are active. This decision is based on their right under international law to operate freely in areas of human rights.

On January 25 of the same year, the Church of the Baptists of the Council of Churches in Wasilievka, north of Bishkek, was searched by officers of the GGBB and the 10th Police Department. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by religious communities in Kyrgyzstan.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Russian)