RUSSIA RELIGION NEWS


Protestant preacher punished for violating anti-evangelism law

BAPTIST PASTOR FINED FOR "ILLEGAL PREACHING" IN BURYATIA, RUSSIA

Invictory.com, 4 August 2020

 

The presbyter of a Zakamensk church, the "Application" Church of Evangelical Christians-Baptists in the republic of Buryatia (Russia), was fined for "illegal" preaching, the Christian mega-portal invictory.com reports, with reference to credo.press.

 

Information about this was published on 3 August on the website "Freedom of thought, conscience, and religion in 2020," with reference to the press service of the Border Directorate of the F.S.B. for the republic of Buryatia.

 

According to the account of the press service, in late June the man arranged for preaching in the locality of Bugry near Zakamensk. F.S.B. personnel discovered that the presbyter did not have documents for the right of conducting religious rituals in Bugry, which is located in the border region. While the service itself had a public character.

 

"In accordance with legislation, missionary activity can be conducted unhindered in premises or on real estate belonging to religious organizations," the press service of the directorate specified.

 

For "illegal preaching," a magistrate judge issued a fine of 5,000 rubles to the presbyter. (tr. by PDS, posted 4 August 2020)

 

RESIDENT OF BURYATIA FINED FOR PREACHING

Representative of a church of Evangelical Christians-Baptists received a fine

Baikal Daily, 3 August 2020

 

A resident of Zakamensk who is the presbyter of a local religious organization, the "Application" Church of Evangelical Christians-Baptists of Zakamensk, was fined for an illegal ritual. In late June, the man organized preaching for adherents of the faith of Evangelical Christians-Baptists in the locality of Bugry, located near the city.

 

Personnel of the Border Directorate of the F.S.B. for Buryatia discovered the violation of law.

 

"During an inspection it was established that the presbyter of the 'Application' Church of Evangelical Christians-Baptists did not have documents for the right of conducting religious rituals in this locality, which is located in a border zone, and the ritual itself had a public character. Thereby the requirements of the federal law 'On freedom of conscience and religious associations' were violated. In accordance with legislation, missionary activity may be conducted without hindrance in premises or on real estate belonging to religious organizations," the press service of the Border Directorate of the F.S.B. for Buryatia reported.

 

A magistrate judge for the judicial district of Zakamensk issued a punishment for the presbyter in the form of a fine of 5,000 rubles. (tr. by PDS, posted 4 August 2020)

 


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