5 Protestant Groups Granted Recognition by Turkmenistan

Forum 18 reports from Turkmenistan that, under international pressure, five Protestant churches are being granted registration. They join the Bahais, Baptists, Hare Krishna and Adventists who were registered last year. Unregistered religious activity in the country is illegal. The newly-approved religious communities are the Church of Christ, the Full Gospel Pentecostal Church in Ashgabad, Light of the East Pentecostal Church in the northern city of Dashoguz, and the New Apostolic Church in Ashgabad. Even registered religous groups continue to face various restrictions on their activities.