RUSSIA’S JUSTICE MINISTRY ISSUES FINAL STATEMENT ON LIQUIDATION OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES, 395 LROS

MOSCOW, Russia – Russia’s Ministry of Justice has issued final statement on liquidation of the Administrative Centre of Jehovah’s Witnesses and 395 local religious organisations in the country.

According to the Ministry, on April 20, 2017 the Supreme Court upheld in full the claims of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on the Elimination on the grounds stipulated by the Federal Law of July 25, 2002 № 114-FZ “On Countering Extremist Activity” religious organization “Administrative Center of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia “and within its structure of 395 local religious organizations.

“July 17, 2017 Board of Appeals of the Supreme Court, having considered in open court session the appeal of a religious organization “Administrative Center of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia” for the Russian Federation Supreme Court judgment of 20 April 2017, determined to leave this decision of the Supreme Court without changes, the appeal – without satisfaction”, the ministry said.

According to the ministry, as against this religious organization, (Russia) decided to eliminate it on the grounds stipulated by the Federal Law “On Countering Extremist Activity” from July 17, 2017, “she and all within its structure of local religious organizations deemed extremist.

“The legal consequence of recognition of a centralized religious organization is extremist ban its activities in the Russian Federation”, the ministry said.

See full statement below.

BOARD OF APPEALS OF THE SUPREME COURT UPHELD THE DECISION ON THE LIQUIDATION OF A RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION “ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESSES IN RUSSIA”

April 20, 2017 the Supreme Court upheld in full the claims of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation on the Elimination on the grounds stipulated by the Federal Law of July 25, 2002 № 114-FZ “On Countering Extremist Activity” religious organization “Administrative Center of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia “and within its structure of 395 local religious organizations.

July 17, 2017 Board of Appeals of the Supreme Court, having considered in open court session the appeal of a religious organization “Administrative Center of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia” for the Russian Federation Supreme Court judgment of 20 April 2017, determined to leave this decision of the Supreme Court without changes, the appeal – without satisfaction.

As against this religious organization decided to eliminate it on the grounds stipulated by the Federal Law “On Countering Extremist Activity” from July 17, 2017, she and all within its structure of local religious organizations deemed extremist. The legal consequence of recognition of a centralized religious organization is extremist ban its activities in the Russian Federation.