20 JEHOVISTS FROM KHANTY-MANSIISK AUTONOMOUS DISTRICT TO GO ON TRIAL
Interfax-Religiia, 17 September 2021
The chief investigation department of the S.K.R. [Investigative Committee of Russia] has completed its investigation of the criminal case against 20 members of the extremist organization of Jehovah's Witnesses (banned in the R.F.) in Khanty-Mansiisk autonomous district, the website of the S.K.R. reports.
From September 2017 to February 2019, the accused arranged in Surgut and the Surgut district a religious association and participated in its activity of an extremist nature. In addition, they collected money for financing the forbidden organization.
At the same time, the bureau emphasizes, members of the cell employed conspiratorial means in their activity. "In particular, they organized the supply of religious literature and official information in an electronic form for remote access, and they used secure means of communication for links among themselves and the conduct of preaching activity, and they also worked outd secure ways of communication with personnel of law enforcement agencies," the report says.
Each member has been charged, depending on one's role, on the basis of parts 1 or 2 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the R.F., or part 1 of article 282.3 CC RF (arranging the activity of an extremist organization and participating in it; financing extremist activity).
Materials of the criminal case have been delivered to a court.
In April 2017, by a decision of the Russian
Supreme Court,
the religious organization "Administrative Center of Jehovah's
Witnesses
in Russia" and local religious organizations constituting its
structure
were liquidated and banned for extremist activity. (tr. by PDS,
posted 17
September 2021)
Background articles:
Uproar over Jehovah's Witnesses is
ratcheted up,
February 20, 2019
Siberian Jehovah's Witness forced into
psychiatric examination
February 5, 2020
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