IN
GEORGIEVSK,
CRIMINAL CASE AGAINST JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES BEGUN
SOVA Center
for News
and Analysis, 13 January 2020
On 11
January 2020,
the investigation department of the Investigative Committee
[SKR] for Stavropol
territory reported the opening of a criminal case on the basis
of parts 1 and 2
of article 282.2 of the Criminal Code (arranging the activity of
an extremist
organization and participation in same) with respect to three
adherents of the
teaching of Jehovah's Witnesses from Georgievsk, a married
couple and their
associate. They are accused of continuing the activity of a
forbidden local
congregation.
As the
SKR reports,
"during meetings, the suspects discussed with visitors religious
intolerance toward representatives of other confessions,
promoted the
superiority of the teachings of this organization over other
religions, studied
literature included in the Federal List of Extremist Materials,
and conducted
collection of money for financing this organization," and in
addition
"in the course of the investigation circumstances of the failure
to
perform their duties for raising minor children by members of
this
organization" were revealed. These circumstances will be
investigated and
be justly evaluated.
Jehovah's
Witnesses
are accused of participating in the activity of an extremist
organization as a
result of the decision of the Russian Supreme Court in April
2017 finding the
Administrative Center of Jehovah's Witnesses in Russia and 395
local religious
organizations to be extremist. We consider that this decision,
that resulted in
widespread prosecution of believers on the basis of article 282
of the CC, did
not have legal bases and we consider it to be a manifestation of
religious
discrimination. (tr. by PDS, posted 13 January 2020)
JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES WHO KICKED OUT DAUGHTERS COME UNDER INVESTIGATION IN GEORGIEVSK
Moskovskii Komsomolets Stavropol, 11 January 2020
In Stavropol territory, a criminal case was opened against parents of girls who were expelled from their home after refusal to follow the "teaching of Jehovah's Witnesses," a sect that is considered in Russia to be an extremist organization.
The two girls, sisters, were forced to leave their home in the city of Georgievsk of Stavropol territory while they are still minors. The elder one left the home first, and then the younger. After their departure from the home, the parents did not participate in the plight of their daughters, literally expelling them from their life. The episode of the girls was shown on local television and it was picked up by other news media.
On Saturday, 11 January, it was learned that the investigation department for the city of Georgievsk had opened a criminal case against the girls' parents. A report of the investigation department of the Investigative Committee of Russia [SKR] for Stavropol territory says that the married couple are suspected of creating an extremist organization and of participating in it. A 50-year-old man also is suspected in the criminal case who is an associate of the family, who, according to local news media, led a reclusive lifestyle.
According to information of the investigation, all three conducted meetings in a residence in Georgievsk during which they cultivated religious intolerance and promoted the superiority of their teaching over all others. At the same time, the men and the woman studied literature that is considered to be extremist in Russia.
Besides the creation of an extremist organization and participating in it, the suspects are charged with failure to fulfill their duties for raising children.
It is reported that the criminal case was
opened on the
basis of materials gathered by operatives of the territorial
divisions of the
F.S.B. and M.V.D. (tr. by PDS, posted 13 January 2020)
IN STAVROPOL, CASE AGAINST THREE JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES BEGUN AFTER EPISODE ON TELEVISION
In the city of Georgievsk of Stavropol territory, a criminal case was opened concerning the organization of activity of an extremist organization and participation in it (parts 1 and 2 of article 282.2 of CC) against a married couple and their 50-year-old associate. This was reported on the website of the regional department of the Investigative Committee.
Which organization is involved the agency did not specify.
According to the investigation, the man "convened and conducted meetings of members of this organization" in the couple's home. The SKR maintains that at meetings the suspects "discussed with visitors religious intolerance against representatives of other confessions, promoted the superiority of the teachings of this organization over other religions, studied literature included in the federal list of extremist materials" and collected money.
In addition, the report of the Investigative Committee says that security officers "discovered circumstances of the failure to fulfill the duties of raising minor children by members of this organization."
On 10 January the television channel News of Stavropol broadcast an episode about the married couple, adherents of Jehovah's Witnesses, who several years ago allegedly kicked out their two minor daughters. The girls themselves told journalists about this, the website of the T.V. channel maintained.
The clip criticized the Jehovah's Witnesses and approved the ban of the organization on the territory of Russia and affirmed that followers of the teaching "endanger not only their own health but also the health and life of children." Three days after the broadcast, the SKR reported opening the case.
After the religious organization was ruled to be extremist in 2017, criminal cases have been opened against dozens of believers. (tr. by PDS, posted 13 January 2020)
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