NEW CRIMINAL CASE FOR FAITH AND ARREST IN BASHKIRIA
Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, 19 October 2018
On 18 October 2018 in the city of Diurtkuili (Bashkortostan) at least eleven searches were conducted in homes of citizens who are suspected of professing the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. Thirty-one-year-old Anton Lemeshev was arrested and sent to a SIZO [investigation cell] until 20 November 2018.
The searches began in early morning and continued during the course of 2-3 hours. All electronic devices, telephones, computers, SIM cards, money, bank cards, passports, postcards, photography and personal letters were confiscated. Fifteen persons were taken to the Investigative Committee for questioning, including a minor girl. After questioning, most were released.
It is still unknown just what Anton Lemeshev and other citizens are suspected of.
Previously, on 10 April 2018, after massive searches in the capital of Bashkiria, 32-year-old Anatoly Vilitkevich was arrested. He was charged on the basis of article 282.2 of the CC of RF (directing an extremist organization) in connection with the fact that he allegedly professes the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses. After two days he was sent to the Ufa SIZO No. 1, where he spent 71 days. At the present time he is under house arrest. This was a direct consequence of a decision of the Russian Supreme Court of 20 April 2017, which placed a ban on the activity of all registered legal entities of Jehovah's Witnesses, including the association in Ufa. The Supreme Court's decision was appealed in the European Court of Human Rights on a priority basis. Meanwhile dozens of rights advocates and also the Council on Human Rights under the president of the RF have expressed concern about the growing religious repressions. (tr. by PDS, posted 19 October 2018)
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