Hamid Shabanov, an Azerbaijani man fined for leading a ‘house church’ without state permission, has suffered ‘multiple violations of law and process’ during his appeal against the fine, it was reported in October.
During his appeal process, the hearings had been held in the Azeri language, which Shabanov does not speak, and the court did not provide him with the translation required by law. He also had documents given to him to sign in the wrong language. The authorities have repeatedly turned down Shabanov’s application to register his congregation.
Australia: democracy?
Christian Concern
In October, a church in Australia was tagged with graffiti reading ‘crucify “no” voters’ and urging people to vote ‘yes’ in the national consultation about redefining marriage.
Drew Mellor, lead pastor of Glen Waverley Anglican Church in Melbourne arrived on Sunday morning to discover various messages on a church building, including ‘bash bigots’ and a tag equating the cross with the swastika.
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