RUSSIA ADDS JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES TO LIST OF BANNED ORGANISATIONS

MOSCOW, Russia – Justice Ministry has formally added the Administrative Centre of Jehovah’s Witnesses and its 395 local organisations to the lists ‘extremists’ non-governmental organisations banned in Russia.

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In a statement, the ministry said it added it on the bases of the April 20, 2017 Supreme Court judgement and that of July 17, 2017 by the Appeal Board of the Supreme Court in accordance with the Code of Administrative Justice of the Russian Federation and the Federal Law “On Countering Extremist Activity”.

This decision has already attracted public outcry all over the world. Click to see public outcry here.

See full statement below.

THE RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION “MANAGEMENT CENTER OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES IN RUSSIA” IS INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN RESPECT OF WHICH THE COURT DECIDED TO LIQUIDATE OR BAN ACTIVITIES

August 16, 2017, the Ministry of Justice of Russia in the list of public associations and religious organizations, other non-profit organizations in respect of which the court adopted a legally effective decision to liquidate or ban activities on the grounds provided by the Federal Law “On Countering Extremist Activity” included a religious organization “The Administrative Center of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia” and 395 members of its local religious organizations.

The organizations are included in the list on the basis of the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of April 20, 2017, the appellate ruling of the Appeals Board of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation of July 17, 2017 in accordance with the Code of Administrative Justice of the Russian Federation and the Federal Law “On Countering Extremist Activity