Kazakh court orders deportation of Orthodox priest
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 30 July 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Kazakh court orders deportation of Orthodox priest, 30 July 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/520894de6.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 30, 2013
By RFE/RL's Kazakh Service
Father Sophrony
ALMATY – A Kazakh district court has ordered an Orthodox priest deported for administrative violations.
The court also ruled that Father Sophrony does not have a valid residence permit.
Sophrony, who as a layman was known as Petr Evtiheev, is a Russian citizen.
Sophrony told RFE/RL that he plans to appeal. An appeal has to be lodged within 15 days.
Sophrony runs an orphanage and an old people's home near Almaty.
He has been living in Kazakhstan since 1991, where he graduated from a religious seminary.
RFE/RL's Kazakh Service says the institutions run by Sophrony provide a home for some 113 children and 120 elderly and disabled people.
The United States has recently criticized Kazakhstan for alleged violations of religious freedoms.
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
