RETIRED WOMAN FINED FOR "ILLEGAL EVANGELISM" IN MARI EL
Woman described her religious convictions for neighbors
In the city of Volzhsk of the republic of Mari El, a court fined a member of a religious group who described for resident of apartment buildings her religious convictions. This was reported by the prosecutor's office of Mari El.
A magistrate judge found the woman guilty of violating legislation about freedom of conscience, freedom of religious confession, and religious associations.
An investigation established that in March 2017, a 57-year-old member of a religious group publicly distributed among residents of apartment buildings information about the beliefs of the religious association whose interests she represented. The woman intended thereby to attract as many participants into this association as possible.
"The federal law 'On freedom of conscience and religious associations' forbids conducting missionary activity in residential buildings without the necessary documents. On the basis of an inspection regarding the citizen, the prosecutor opened a case of administrative violation of law on the basis of the article 'Violation of legislation on freedom of conscience, freedom of religious confession, and religious association,'" the press service of the agency explained.
The court found the woman guilty and assessed her a penalty in the form of a fine of 5,000 rubles. The court's order has still not taken effect and may be appealed. (tr. by PDS, posted 19 June 2017)
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