Hundreds of small religious groups have been stripped of their registration in Kazakhstan as a senior religious affairs official says that their activity is "now banned" under new rules.

According to Barnabas Aid, which supports persecuted Christians, a number of churches from a range of Christian denominations, including Baptist, Presbyterian and Seventh-day Adventist, are among the 579 groups deregistered.

Barnabas Aid said Kairat Lama Sharif, chair of the Agency of Religious Affairs, described the 13 per cent fall in the number of officially-recognised religious groups as "a positive dynamic in the systematisation of the total number of religious associations."

He said that the number would probably decrease further as the new Religion Law is enforced.

According to Barnabas Aid, a religious group must now have at least 50 adult members to be registered. Leaders of small churches have received official warnings to stop their activity and return their registration certificates.

Saule Ibrayeva, chair of Akmola Region's Agency of Religious Affairs, said: "The activityof small religious groups in the territory of Kazakhstan is now banned since there is no such form of religious association of citizens."

He added, "We have a new law and as it does not allow for the existence of religious associations which have fewer than 50 members, then they should either re-register with 50 members or stop their activity as a religious association."

Barnabas Aid said that small churches are still meeting for services, but they face harassment from the state.

Kulyan Seydahmetova, head of the Bulandy District Internal Policy Department, said that officials "regularly visit these communities and check up on their activity".

According to Barnabas Aid, a representative of one church said, "Now our believers are afraid each time they gather for worship. We are worried about possible punishments from the authorities."

Although the new Religion Law came into force in October last year, no regulations have yet been drawn up for the re-registration process.

The deregistered groups must make any necessary amendments to their charters and re-register with the authorities by 25 October.

Barnabas Aid said that deregistered groups have complained that they cannot do so until the regulations are in place. They fear that there will be only a short time to do so once these have been adopted.

The group said it will not be possible for many to collect the 50 signatures required, because they do not have sufficient members or at least not enough willing to give their personal information to the authorities.