FALSE PROPHETS FROM TAMBOV SUBDIVISION OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES FIND THEMSELVES UNDER INVESTIGATION
They are charged with organizing extremist activity
Social Media News, 25 December 2020
Two Tambovites are suspected of arranging extremist activity in the territory of the region. The men spread the false teachings of an organization that is forbidden on the territory of Russia—the Jehovah's Witnesses.
The suspects are 56 and 27 years old. The false prophets knew about the ban, but they deliberately supported the work of the local division. They conducted services and meetings of the "flock," and distributed literature of the Witnesses that also had been ruled to be extremist. In addition, they received money in the form of "donations."
Yesterday the homes of the suspects were searched. Personnel of regional agencies—the Investigative Committee, police, and Russian F.S.B.—seized disks, booklets, and books. The materials will be attached to the criminal case, which, as the investigation department of the Investigative Committee explained, combined several proceedings against the suspects. For such activities the men may face a substantial fine (on the order of almost a million rubles) and also prison for up to two years.
The activity of the Jehovah's Witnesses as a religious association was ruled to be extremist, halted, and forbidden by a decision of the Russian Supreme Court three years ago. (tr. by PDS, posted 28 December 2020)
TAMBOV BECOMES 59TH REGION WHERE REPRESSIONS AGAINST JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES HAVE UNFOLDED
Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, 24 December 2020
In the morning of 24 December 2020, in the city of Kirsanov, Tambov oblast, at least two searches were conducted in homes of believers. Details are being clarified.
Update: On 21 December 2020, investigators of the Investigative Committee opened criminal cases against 27-year-old Anton Kuzhelkov and 56-year-old Nikolai Prokhorov on the basis of part 1 of article 282.2 of the CC RF (arranging the activity of an organization banned by a court). Three days later, at least 19 addresses in the city of Kirsanov were searched. Kuzhelkov was arrested and it is expected that on 25 December a court will select a measure of restriction for him. Prokhorov was released after interrogation.
Tambov oblast has become the 59th region where law enforcement agencies are prosecuting citizens on the basis of their professing the religion of the Jehovah's Witnesses. (tr. by PDS, posted 28 December 2020)
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