Russian officials raid 115 homes of JWs as Appeal Court upholds sentence of Dennis Christensen

ORYOL, Russia – Government officials have raided 115 homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the last three months following state crackdown on activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia.

They intensified the raids just as a three-judge panel of the Oryol Regional Court denied Dennis Christensen’s appeal and upheld the six-year prison sentence he previously received.

The Appeal Court upheld the appeal on Thursday, May 23, 2019. About 80 members of the Jehovah’s Witnesses attended the court proceedings. Officials from Australia and Denmark were also present.

“Over the past three months since Brother Christensen’s original sentencing in February, there have been 115 home raids and three times as many criminal cases initiated against Jehovah’s Witnesses compared to the previous three months.

“Our prayers are with Brother Christensen and all of our fellow believers in Russia. We are confident that Jehovah “is near to all those calling on him” and will continue to help our brothers remain resolute in the face of persecution—Psalm 145:18”, the Jehovah’s Witnesses said on their website.

The crackdown began with a raid on the kingdom halls of Jehovah’s Witnesses , see video in Russia before they declared them extremist. They also declared the Holy Bible and extremist publication.

The Russian government has since taken over properties of Jehovah’s witnesses including their Kingdom Halls. Nows are ongoing in the homes of Jehovah’s Witnesses.