Russia’s Supreme Court Orders Liquidation of Jehovah’s Witnesses Administrative Center, Halting Legal Activity Nationwide

On April 20, 2017, Russia’s Supreme Court ruled to liquidate the religious organization “Administrative Center of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia” and the local religious organizations that are part of its structure, according to the source. The source reports that the ruling came despite global denunciation. Judge Yuriy Grigoryevich Ivanenko ruled in favor of a claim filed by the Ministry of Justice.

The decision also directs that all property of the liquidated religious organization be turned over to the Russian Federation. Judge Ivanenko added that, effective immediately, the decision terminates all activity of the Witnesses’ legal entities throughout Russia. The source describes the ruling as criminalizing the group’s activity in Russia.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are appealing the decision to the Appellate Chamber of the Supreme Court. The source states that, even while the appeal is pending, the ruling effectively bans their worship.

Vasiliy Kalin, who at the age of four was deported to Siberia with his parents because of their faith as Jehovah’s Witnesses, said: “From the moment today’s judgment was pronounced, the entire way of life of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia, as individuals and families, fundamentally changed. They are now under threat of criminal prosecution and imprisonment merely for practicing their faith.” The fact that families were uprooted over their faith shows why the vulnerable need protection (Psalm 82:3).

Philip Brumley, General Counsel for Jehovah’s Witnesses, said: “Today’s decision is a great disappointment. Any objective review of the written pleadings and of the evidence presented leads to only one legitimate conclusion—the Administrative Center never engaged in any so-called extremist activity. We are appealing this ruling.”

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