RUSSIA RELIGION NEWS


Unidentified religious group rounded up by police; Are they Jehovah's Witnesses?

CRIMINAL CASE ABOUT INVOLVEMENT IN A FORBIDDEN RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATION OPENED IN KEMEROVO OBLAST

Just which religious association they are talking about, law enforcement agencies do not specify

SOVA Center for News and Analysis, 1 February 2018

 

On 1 February 2018, the Investigative Directorate of the Investigation Committee for Kemerovo oblast reported the opening of a case on the basis of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code (participation in the activity of an extremist organization).

 

"According to the account of the investigation," the report says, "for participation in the activity of a religious association regarding which a court has made a decision to prohibit its activity, that has taken legal effect, a group of persons assembled regularly. Residents of the oblast center and Kemerovo district, who are adherents of this religious organization, professed and engaged in dissemination of a faith, including proclamation in public places and residential buildings, promoted the activity of a forbidden organization, and distributed corresponding literature. It was established that in the proclamations and books there are statements that demean human dignity on the basis of relationship with religion and elements of propaganda of the exclusivity of one religion with respect to another."

 

The Investigation Committee speaks about the conduct of searches at 15 addresses, within the framework of the investigation, including at the home of the alleged leader of the religious group. The confiscated materials will be checked to determine whether they include items that have been ruled to be extremist.

 

"A comprehensive linguistic expert analysis will be conducted, within the context of the investigation, which should determine the roles of members of the forbidden association," the Investigation Committee writes.

 

Presumably they are talking about Jehovah's Witnesses. (tr. by PDS, posted 6 February 2018)


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