RUSSIA RELIGION NEWS


Judges countermand law enforcement against Jehovah's Witnesses

APPEALS COURT FREES COUPLE ARRESTED FOR FAITH ON KAMCHATKA

Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia, 11 August 2018

 

On 9 and 10 August 2018, the couple Mikhail and Elena Popova, who were arrested in Viliuchinsk of Kamchatka territory on suspicion that they profess the religion of Jehovah's Witnesses, were released from custody by an appellate ruling of the Kamchatka territorial court. Mikhail had spent eleven days behind bars and Elena spent four days plus seven days under house arrest.

 

In the morning of 30 July 2018, in Viliuchinsk, a series of searches was conducted in homes of citizens selected on the basis of indications of their relation to religion. The Popov couple was charged under part 1 of article 282.2 and part 1.1 of article 282.2 of the CCRF (creating an extremist organization and involving in the activity of an extremist organization). On 1 August 2018 the Viliuchinsk city court selected a measure of restriction to assure appearance for the 56-year-old Mikhail Popova of detention in custody. Two days later, the measure of restriction of house arrest was selected for his wife, Elena.

 

An appeal was filed against the decision. On 9 August 2018, Olga Alekseeva, judge of the Kamchatka territorial court, reversed the decision on appeal regarding the detention of Mikhail Popov. On 10 August, Judge Evgeny Kirillov reversed the ruling regarding the selection of house arrest for Elena Popova.

 

Russian law enforcement personnel mistakenly regard the joint religious confession of citizens as participation in the activity of an extremist organization. Prominent public figures of Russia and also the Council on Human Rights under the Russian president have already given attention to this problem. Believers insist upon their own complete innocence. (tr. by PDS, posted 11 August 2018)

 


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