Court in Taganrog, Russia, convicts 16 Jehovah’s Witnesses of extremist activity

Jehovah’s Witnesses in Taganrog, Russia, face a criminal case that Gajus Glockentin, spokesman for the European Association of Jehovah’s Witnesses, describes as part of a growing pattern of religious opposition in Russia. In a video statement, Glockentin said the trial judge would soon pronounce his verdict and asked whether Russia would imprison its own citizens merely for peacefully practicing their faith. He urged respect for justice and religious freedom.

The statement also says that all 16 defendants were convicted of extremist activity, and it describes this as a dangerous precedent for authorities to criminalize the peaceful religious activity of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia. The source material places the verdict both as forthcoming and as already reached, and it does not explain the difference in timing. The statement further asks how the lengthy proceedings have affected the defendants and whether Russia will stop what it calls the misapplication of its extremism law and uphold the right to peaceful worship. These are the statement’s questions and concerns, not independently verified findings.

Glockentin’s statement says the defendants face criminal charges for so-called “extremist” activity, which the group’s representative contends is peaceful religious practice. Defending people charged for peaceful worship is a matter of protecting the vulnerable (Psalm 82:3).

The source states that the Court will hear the appeal of the 16 Witnesses in Taganrog on December 11, 2014.

Source: Read the original report