By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
In separate incidents, two Kazakh Christians have been issued large fines for practicing their religion without the state's permission, according to Barnabas Aid.
Both men have refused to pay their fines and now face further punishments.
Nikolai Novikov was fined last year for worshiping in Uralsk without permission; Novikov is now banned from leaving the country.
Although congregations require permission to meet, Novikov's church has refused to abide by the state's bureaucratic procedures.
Maksim Volikov was fined last December for evangelizing in the village of Novoukrainka without permission. More than 165 books, magazines and CDs were confiscated.
Volikov was previously fined for leading a house church without permission; his appeal was denied by the North Kazakhstan Regional Court last July.