“The police collected copies of the identification documents of all in attendance and seized their electronic devices. The FSB also took into custody Dennis Christensen, one of Jehovah’s Witnesses who is a Danish citizen. Shortly thereafter, police officers searched four homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses located throughout the city”.
Admin l Wednesday, Feb. 06, 2019
ORYOL, Russia – A Russian court sitting in Oryol has sentensed Dennis Christensen to six years imprisonment for possession of Christian publication alleged to be extremist materials. Dennis Christensen, a Danish citizen was arrested during meeting in one of the Kingdom Halls in Russia and has been in detention. The court pronounced him guilty as charged but Jehovah’s Witnesses have vowed to go on appeal.
“The unjust verdict, which has already received international attention, will be appealed. We will pray for Dennis Christensen and his wife, Irina, and our many brothers and sisters in Russia as they continue to ‘keep calm and show trust’ in Jehovah.—Isaiah 30:15”, the Jehovah’s Witnesses said on their website, jw.org.The trial of Brother Dennis Christensen in Russia begain February 19, 2019.
He has been in detention since he was arrested on May 25, 2017 at a Christian meeting in one of the Kingdom Halls for his loyalty to Jehovah’s organisation. He was arrested by State agents as part of crackdown on Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia after the April 20 ruling by the Supreme Court.
“The police collected copies of the identification documents of all in attendance and seized their electronic devices. The FSB also took into custody Dennis Christensen, one of Jehovah’s Witnesses who is a Danish citizen. Shortly thereafter, police officers searched four homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses located throughout the city”, the Jehovah’s Witnesses said.
After being detained overnight in FSB custody, the Soviet District Court of Oryol granted the application of the FSB and ordered Mr. Christensen to be jailed in pretrial detention pending completion of the FSB criminal investigation. Mr. Christensen is the first foreigner to be included in these official actions against Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia since the Russia Supreme Court decision. If convicted, he may serve six and half years in prison based on the prayers of the the Russian prosecution.
“Despite being imprisoned for over 20 months, Brother Christensen has remained in good spirits, fully trusting in Jehovah and grateful for the prayers of the worldwide brotherhood.—2 Thessalonians 3:1, 2”, the Jehovah’s Witnesses said in a statement.
