RUSSIA RELIGION NEWS


Danish citizen arrested in connection with raid on Jehovah's Witnesses

SEARCHES, ARREST, AND CRIMINAL CASE ON EXTREMISM ARTICLE AGAINST JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES IN OREL PROVINCE

Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, 26 May 2017

 

On 25 May 2017 in the city of Orel, at least 15 armed persons, including personnel of the FSB, entered the building where local Jehovah's Witnesses were located. Law enforcement officials reported that a criminal case has been initiated on the basis of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the RF (continuation of activity of an organization that has been prohibited for extremism). One of the believers was arrested. Passport data of all in attendance were copied, explanations were taken, and tablets were confiscated. The men were taken off to the FSB building, where some of them were detained until the morning of the next day. Searches were conducted in several residences of believers.

 

It is known that a criminal case was initiated for at least one of the believers, Dennis Christensen, a foreign citizen. He was arrested and held in custody in the FSB building. (tr. by PDS, posted 26 May 2017)

 

COURT SELECTED PREVENTIVE MEASURE IN FORM OF DETENTION UNDER GUARD OF MEMBER OF OREL RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

Press Service of Soviet District Court of City of Orel, 26 May 2017

 

On 26 May 2017 the Soviet district court of the city of Orel considered an order of the Investigation Division of the FSB Directorate of Russia for Orel province presenting before the court a petition for selecting a preventive measure in the form of incarceration under guard for a member of the Orel religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses, a citizen of Denmark, D.O. Christensen, who is charged with committing a serious crime provided for by part 1 of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian federation (arranging the activity of an extremist organization).

 

After considering the aforementioned order of the investigator and presented materials, the court made a decision to satisfy the order of the investigator and the selection for D.O. Christensen of a preventive measure in the form of detention in custody.

 

The order has not taken legal effect and may be appealed by the parties within three days. (tr. by PDS, posted 26 May 2017)


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