Kremlin adds Jehovah’s Witnesses to list of banned organizations
The Russian Ministry of Justice added the Jehovah’s Witnesses religious organization to the list of organizations which are prohibited and subject to dissolution in Russian territory. In the department’s official announcement, this ruling is explained as the application of the law on opposing extremist activity.
The Russian Justice Ministry noted that the ban extends to the Jehovah’s Witnesses Administrative Center, as well as the 395 regional branches included in its structure.
On July 17, the Supreme Court of Russia adopted a ruling to recognize the Jehovah’s Witnesses as an extremist organization and to ban its activity in Russian territory. The court’s ruling has come into force. According to the organization, there were roughly 170,000 adherents in the country.
In a number of Russian cities, criminal cases have already been initiated for the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ continued activity after the court prohibition, and involvement in this organization’s activity.